Barbara Sulzberger
Flowerbombs
In ‘Flowerbombs’ the audience is invited to engage with ceramics in an unusual way - they are asked to throw raw delicate porcelain flowers at a target on the wall, smashing them as if they were at a funfair. This artist sanctioned destruction evokes the contrasting emotions of guilt and pleasure. An initial reluctance by participants to destroy these delicate flowers gave way to a stronger desire to keep smashing them. Bursts of colour in this playful atmosphere triggered an overwhelming release of emotions after months of restrictive lockdown. Exploration into the fragility of clay led me to explore porcelain flower making through the use of traditional handmade methods. This practice was highly valued in the mid-18th century by manufacturers such as Meissen but is used in more contemporary settings where destruction of the artworks by the audience becomes an important part of the artwork itself.
Barbara Sulzberger, Flowerbombs, Porcelain & Holi Powder, 10x10cm
