'Chasing Black', porcelain, thrown, with brushed decoration in cobalt and iron oxides, made by Felicity Aylieff at Jingdezhen, China, 2006

Vase of extremely large proportions, assembled from thrown sections in porcelain, decorated with free brushwork in cobalt blue and iron oxide.

Acquired through the generosity of Gerard and Sarah Griffin

'Chasing Black' is one of a group of monumental vases made by Felicity Aylieff during a residency in Jingdezhen at the Pottery Workshop Experimental Factory established by Takeshi Yasuda, working in Mr Yu's Big Ware Factory. Aylieff was awarded a sabbatical from the Royal College of Art to allow her to take up the residency, with the stipulation that she should publish her research and that the ceramics she produced should be brought back to Britain and exhibited. A proposal to exhibit the works in the Lobby of One Canada Square, Canary Wharf as part of the Sculpture in the Workplace programme was accepted, and the resulting exhibition, Out of China: Monumental Porcelain by Felicity Aylieff, subsequently toured a number of UK venues.

Writing of the painting of the pot in the publication that accompanied the exhibition, Felicity Aylieff states:

'I chose a large Chinese brush traditionally used for calligraphy to make the marks that chase across the surface of this pot. Unlike western brushes the head is round and fat and the hog hair bristles long and tapered to a fine point. The pot surface is very absorbent at the painting stage, and I had to work fast to keep a fluid line. The spring in the brush lent itself well to the energetic 'dance' across the surface.'

A companion to this pot, 'Chasing Red', was also produced by Aylieff, this additionally featuring paintwork in red enamel.

Made at Mr Yu's Big Ware factory in Jingdezhen, and decorated there by Felicity Aylieff.

In 2006, Felicity Aylieff spent four months as a resident at the Pottery Workshop Experimental Factory in Jingdezhen, China. She made connections with a family business specialising in what she calls ‘Big Ware’. This is one of a series of giant vases that she made with their help. It is a powerful example of the continuing exchange of ideas and techniques between potters from different cultures.

C.127-2009