Bowl c. 1939

This watercolour on paper depicts a ‘Bowl’, made by Alfred Parys. Parys’s process is immediately evident in the delicate brushstrokes and layering of pigments. The bowl’s brown surface is animated with subtle variations, capturing the uneven texture of the ceramic. Look closely at the shapes cut into the clay – some leaf-like, some circular. They’re not perfectly uniform, but that’s what gives the object its charm, don't you think? The light playing through these openings suggests the bowl isn't just an object, but a vessel for transformation. The materiality of the paint mimics the earthiness of the clay, grounding the artwork. The bowl has echoes of Lucie Rie, in the way it elevates a functional item to something beautiful and contemplative, highlighting the beauty of the handmade. Art invites us to see beyond the surface and discover new meanings in the everyday.