This work explores the dynamic relationship between art and its audience, drawing inspiration from the history and performance of burlesque—a dance form that both collaborating artists have performed at different points in their lives. This shared experience serves as the foundation for their collaborative exploration in this piece.

Kristen Spalding: As a teaching artist, my practice is rooted in a passion for experimentation and a curiosity about form. Currently, I am captivated by classic shapes and vessels, using them as starting points for creative exploration. The timeless elegance of these forms—such as ancient urns and traditional bowls—offers a rich conversation between history and innovation. By revisiting these iconic silhouettes, I aim to both honour their legacy and challenge their boundaries.

Genevieve Walshe: My work delves into the intersections of the ordinary and the fantastical within identity, examining how these dimensions manifest in our daily lives and collective imaginations. Working with clay allows me to transform imagination into reality, exploring themes of the body, identity, and philosophical play.

Together, this collaboration underscores the performative aspect shared across artistic mediums. Just as an audience is drawn to a dancer under a spotlight, viewers are invited to engage with this vessel, a performer in its own right.

Terra Cotta, Underglaze, gold lustre.