{"id":103792,"date":"2021-11-18T17:47:53","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T16:47:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centmagazine.co.uk\/?p=103792"},"modified":"2021-11-18T17:47:55","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T16:47:55","slug":"something-bigger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.centmagazine.co.uk\/?p=103792","title":{"rendered":"Something Bigger"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Religious, spiritual, or simply\u00a0agnostic\u00a0we can probably all agree there is something bigger ‘out there’\u00a0whether\u00a0that be a\u00a0god or a galaxy.\u00a0A journey of self-discovery can come in many forms and will be different for each of\u00a0us, some\u00a0choose to\u00a0explore\u00a0their belief\u00a0in higher powers\u00a0through\u00a0varying forms of\u00a0creativity.\u00a0From\u00a0catholic\u00a0displays\u00a0of biblical tales\u00a0in the form of\u00a0fresco\u00a0art and\u00a0the\u00a0embellished\u00a0dress of the clergy\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0Rastafarian\u00a0Nyabinghi\u00a0music used to reach states of heightened spirituality,\u00a0creativity is a way of\u00a0understanding\u00a0our own identities,\u00a0cultures,\u00a0and\u00a0heritage.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

American Installation artist Theaster Gates explores materiality and spirituality in his new exhibition \u2018A Clay Sermon\u2019. Looking at the spiritual legacies of clay, being those sculptures, vessels or the ground we walk on. Connecting his relationship with God and the church to his architectural past, Gates draws parallels between the craftmanship of clay by a potter and humanity by God.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"something<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The exhibition will show at Whitechapel Gallery in London displaying an overview of his clay works, from early hand thrown pieces to afro-mingei sculptures from recent years, each looking at the historical and cultural roots of the material. A film made during his residency at the Archie Bray Foundation is played upstairs followed by a combination of recent clay works upon hand-milled plinths. Other aspects of this project will be shown at the V&A and Serpentine pavilion all until the 9th January 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His\u00a0longstanding\u00a0fascination with materials\u00a0and land development\u00a0fused with his beliefs and cultural past,\u00a0create a beautiful narrative in his work,\u00a0always returning to stories of origin.\u00a0Growing up in a black Baptist church,\u00a0reflecting\u00a0his\u00a0heritage and religion in the art\u00a0he makes\u00a0has\u00a0always\u00a0been\u00a0important.\u00a0In his clay works,\u00a0he\u00a0uses\u00a0the geological mineral\u00a0as a medium\u00a0to\u00a0learn about the world,\u00a0connecting with the earth directly and altering its shape, as people have done since the start of humanity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"something<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Exploring something bigger through her faith and intersectional identity, Renli Su creates beautiful dream-like collections subtly inspired by her Buddhist upbringing as well as her love for historic British culture. Her garments are made in Shenzhen China using a combination of traditional craftsman\u2019s techniques and new forms of fabric manipulation on organic textiles such as cotton, linen, wool and silk. Inspired heavily by historic tales, each collection takes you on a journey through a narrative, drawing parallels with pilgrimages and the peaceful nature of the Buddhist religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by Renli Su (@renlisuofficial)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>