MARTIN SMITH: WALL WORKS

摘要

There is much truth in Chris Dercon's opinion that, since Hans Coper's death, Martin Smith is 'the most abstract and geometrically oriented ceramist in England and possibly of our times'. From his Borromini Cloister Pieces of the early 1980s to the more recent, very beautiful Cord and Discord series, Smith has rigorously investigated the vessel form with ingenious results. What new explorations around the vessel would he come up with this time? Perhaps he would revisit ideas he had explored in Wavelength, a site-specific work comprising ten components that sat on the floor of the vast vitrine at Tate St Ives in 2001? In the event, all expectations of objects on plinths are confounded. Once through the gallery door, you are surprised to find yourself walking unhindered into open space and confronting six new rectilinear works on three surrounding walls. These wall works mark a highly significant departure for Smith and they provoke a new response from the viewer.