Victoria Eden

These pieces were made using objects taken from my Mother's house when it was cleared in 2013.

Her life has spanned much of the 20th century and to me these artifacts speak volumes about the challenges and aspirations of many women at that time as they established their homes and raised families in the post war decades of the 1950s, 60's and 70s.

The figure is a Victorian plaster statuette representing Photine, the biblical woman at the well*. Her suggestive clothing and pose portray a sensual woman who is sanitised for polite society by her presentation as a biblical figure. The message she gives to the world is that her owner is both cultured and artistic with a proper respect for religion, but in truth she is simply a sexy ornament! Her blindfold refers to the trapped position of women at the time she was created- she is a piece of property with few legal rights and many constraints on her behaviour.

*Photine gave Christ water at a well and became involved with him in a  conversation that is referred to  as “The Water of Life Discourse”, details can be found  in John 4:10-26. In Oaxaca, Mexico a celebration of Photine takes place on the 4th Friday of Lent. On this day churches, schools and businesses give away fruit drinks to passers by.

H:84cm W:65cm D:40cm

The figure represents many things: ostensibly she is a biblical character, the woman at the well, and as such she is an appropriate subject for the home, but her provocative clothing and voluptuous body suggest an eroticism that is acceptable under the guise of Art. Hypocrisy lurks!

She is imprisoned by the church-like building, there is no door, freedom is available but she is blindfolded and unable to embrace a life away from domesticity.

The alcoves contain withered apples and the gold on the dome is very thin.

20th century women women had more comfort, more objects and control of their fertility, but life did not necessarily offer fulfilment.

Inside the walls shadows play.

Life is fragile.

The  alcoves contain withered fruit from an apple tree which flourishes in my garden.

The apples, half hidden in the shelter of the alcoves, are a poignant reminder of the circle of life.

Slab built using terracotta clay, bisc to 1000C followed by smoke firing using oak shavings and sawdust, French plaster figure, withered apples, discarded tap, 22 carat gold leaf, petersham ribbon.

Height: 84cm  Width: 65cm  Depth: 40cm

Homes aspired to glittering fish knives.

Rarely used, but regularly cleaned, they reinforced the notion of ordered, genteel living and kept a silent guard of unseen cuts.

The RAF buttons are a quiet reminder that the turbulence of war is not far behind.

H: 40cm W: 25.5cm D: 19.5cm

The knives are displayed and carefully controlled in their  cabinet.

Knitting needles hold things together.

Behind the flat back of the cabinet sits a small rusted tin that contains charred paper remains.

Slab built using terracotta clay, bisc to 1000C followed by smoke firing using oak shavings and sawdust, 5 fish knives with bone handles, knitting needles, withered apples, silver plated fruit spoon and small pastille tin. 

With new prosperity ordinary homes aped those of the well-to-do with ornaments (mostly from Staffordshire) to proclaim status, but without domestic help cherished objects imposed their own tyranny on a housewife.

H: 48.5cm  W: 21cm  D: 11.5cm

There is no truth in the sweet little shepherdess, she is entrapped by the ideas of others. 

Nature, life itself, is harsher beneath the surface than anyone cares to admit.

Slab built using terracotta clay, bisc to 1000C followed by smoke firing using oak shavings and sawdust, porcelain figure, 22 carat gold leaf, withered apples, necklace chain, amethyst heart, sugar tongs, knitting needles and lace bobbin.

Like his female counterpart the young shepherd is not all he seems to be .

Locked in his own cabinet he is separated from her and lives his own emasculated life.

Slab built using terracotta clay, bisc to 1000C followed by smoke firing using oak shavings and sawdust, withered apples, pocket watch, keys, crochet hook, knitting needles,  22 carat gold leaf, reclaimed washer and screw.

 H: 48.5cm  W: 21cm  D: 11.5cm

 A glimpse into the interior reveals an image of perfection.

Safe in their separate cabinets the myth continues unquestioned.

Hopes and dreams are safely locked away. Nevertheless, it is always possible to peep through the spy hole in the doors.

The interior can be seen, its just not easy.

Small Chinese warriors, copies of the terracotta army, guard a formidable wall. An alcove in the wall houses a symbolic horse protected by a heavy door. 

The space within is completely unknown, could it hide something of importance? Could this precious, or deadly, commodity be a genetic inheritance?  

Is the security of the wall in doubt? will it all come crashing down?

H: 46cm  W: 36.5cm  D: 8cm

Fire has attacked the wall but the guardians keep it safe. Is this sustainable? 

The shadow of conflict persists.

Slab built using terracotta clay, bisc to 1000C followed by smoke firing using oak shavings and sawdust, Chinese models, in resin, of  terracotta army soldiers, 22 carat gold leaf, RAF uniform button.

This piece is developed in the Guarded Space series. To view these click on Beyond Words (bottom left) and select Guarded Spaces.