EXHIBITION
Photo. Krzysztof Tomasik
Baltic Gallery of Contemporary Art
Centre for Creative Activities in Ustka
/ ul. Zaruskiego 1a
Hetty Ann Laycock
At the rhythm of the wave
Curated by
Weronika Teplicka
Discipline / Ceramics
Period of stay / May – June 2024
Opening of the exhibition
and meeting with the artist
Creative Activity Center in Ustka
admission free
28.05.2024 / 5 p.m.
exhibition
10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
29.05 – 2.06.2024*
* admission to the gallery with ticket
This project aims to explore the interconnectedness of nature and human beings through the lens of the Baltic coastal landscape in Ustka. Involving a contemplation of the biological and physical processes at play in the landscape, from the germination of spring to the erosion of driftwood. Through a series of playful ceramic experiments, I will aim to capture and archive the forms and behaviours specific to the landscape, embracing a philosophy of abandoning control and allowing for an ongoing progression of exploratory making. By collaborating with organic materials that interact directly with the ceramic medium, I hope to create frozen moments of collaboration in form, representing the complex patterns and relationships found in nature. Building on my prior familiarity with the Venetian lagoon and the landscapes of Cornwall and Yorkshire, I will use this newfound understanding to create a series of polymorphic ceramic sculptures. Each sculpture will serve as a metaphor for contemporary ecosystems, highlighting the fragility and complexity of nature. By inviting observers to form new connections with nature through the sculptures, I hope to emphasise the importance of our place within these intricate networks. Ultimately, this project aims to inspire a deeper appreciation for the natural world and our interconnectedness with it. /Hetty Ann Laycock/
Hetty Ann Laycock
visual artist, graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice and Falmouth University in Cornwall where she earned degrees in Fine Art and Decoration. Involved in a series of exhibitions that have seen her move between and across England, Italy, China, and now Poland, Hetty Ann Laycock is currently a member of the cultural association zolforosso, based in Venice, Italy. Her artistic practice explores the organic landscape in its formal, relational and material aspects, with the aim of fostering a process of perpetual care and reciprocal exchange with it. The artist conveys a holistic vision of phenomena in her works, inviting us to perceive the complexity, interdependence and fragility of ecosystems. Through environmental exercises of coexistence, proximity and care, Hetty Ann Laycock investigates the potential of ceramics to promote biodiversity and ecological balance, exploring the art and science of biomimicry within her contemporary sculptural practice.