Florence Peake on Ceramics, Performance, and the Body
Florence Peake, born in 1973 in London, integrates performance art with clay, highlighting the significance of the body. She perceives clay as a dynamic medium that facilitates energetic exchanges between the performer and the audience. In her work 'Voicings', she utilized clay to cultivate a shared consciousness. During 'CRUDE CARE' (2020–21), developed alongside Aberdeen social workers, a performer was buried under two tons of clay to investigate the similarities between extractive industries and care work amid Covid; the final sculpture measures approximately 1.8 x 2.8 meters. 'Apparition Apparition' (2019), created with choreographer Eve Stainton, was showcased at the 58th Venice Biennale. Peake's art challenges neofascist normalization and employs six tons of clay to disrupt choreography, approaching ceramics through a performative and somatic lens.
Key facts
- Florence Peake was born in London in 1973.
- She combines performance art with clay working.
- Clay is described as a hyper-material medium and a vehicle for energetic transfer.
- 'Voicings' performance used clay as a preparatory phase with the public.
- 'CRUDE CARE' (2020–21) was created with social workers in Aberdeen.
- In 'CRUDE CARE', a performer was buried under two tons of clay.
- The fired ceramic sculpture from 'CRUDE CARE' measures 1.8 x 2.8 meters.
- 'Apparition Apparition' (2019) was a collaboration with Eve Stainton at the 58th Venice Biennale.
- 'Rite: on this pliant body we slip our wow!' uses six tons of clay.
- Germaine Richier referred to clay as hysterical.
- Peake does not come from a craft tradition and relies on technicians for firing.
- Her methods involve whole-body tactility and treat clay as an extension of physicality.
Entities
Artists
- Florence Peake
- Eve Stainton
- Germaine Richier
Institutions
- Delfina Foundation
- Arts Council England
- British Art Show 9
- Aberdeen Art Gallery
- Artribune
- University of Malta
- Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Aberdeen
- Venice
- Italy
- Faenza