Icarus

In this ceramic piece, I explore the timeless tension between human ambition and the perils of hubris. The myth of Icarus serves as a metaphor for our contemporary obsession with pushing boundaries and reaching higher.

The surface treatment plays a crucial role in the work's layers of meaning. One side features a delicate texture immediately reminiscent of the structure of feathers – fragile, complex, and essential for the dream of flight. The gold powder accentuating this texture refers to the precious nature of this dream, but also to the dazzling brilliance of the sun that became Icarus' downfall.

The rising line running alongside this 'wing' symbolizes the upward motion of flight – that moment of euphoria before reality strikes. Opposing this subtle poetry is a more direct intervention: a golden clay sphere representing the sun. The golden accents connect both elements and underscore their interrelationship in the story.

The black clay powder covering the top introduces a menacing dimension. This dark element acts as a visual warning, amplifying the dramatic tension of the narrative. It sharply contrasts with the warmer, earthy tones of the ceramics and gold.

The work functions as a contemporary memento mori – a reminder of the dangers of overconfidence and overestimation in our performance-driven society. It invites reflection on the price of unrestrained ambition and the necessity of self-knowledge in the pursuit of our dreams.

2025
Ceramics, glaze, wood ash, gold lustre
Size: H 20cm, W 19cm