Last week, I gave a short talk about my current tea set work at a monthly meeting at the library called Artist Office, which gives artists the chance to use the library as a workspace and creates opportunities to exchange and discuss ideas. I took the opportunity to speak about the work while it’s still in progress, and to reflect on what could still be improved or added.
I began by talking about social sculpture as both a starting point and a space for ideas. From there, I spoke about my research through clay, drawing, site visits and storylines connected to colonial history.
Presenting my work to others benefited me. It helped me practise communicating my ideas and explaining my work more clearly. I also received useful feedback, especially when someone shared a link to The Common Salt performance with me, which I appreciated very much.
https://youtu.be/i3yWr4U3umQ?si=cHlTaOo4xQMMT4WW
That evening, I watched the video. The work felt deeply connected to my work. The performance was provocative, beautiful, simple, and creative in the way it explored the history of British colonialism in India.
What I especially loved was how, within one hour, the artists managed to communicate their ideas so clearly and powerfully. By the end of the performance, the table itself had transformed into an assemblage sculpture. It reminded me that art can tell similar stories through many different forms and materials.
The next day, I designed the final small pot in my tea set. Before that, I was unsure of its purpose. But after watching the performance, I understood: it’s for salt!
Karema 