From stilettos to sheep: the bizarre and wonderful ceramic art on show in London

Ceramic stilettos and a matching handbag are two of the many artworks on show at Ceramic Art London, the largest high-end ceramics show in the UK. 116 artists were selected to exhibit from 20 countries around the world, and from as far as Guatemala, Japan, and South Korea. 2024 marks the 20th anniversary since the first Ceramic Arts London. And it is a place for potters to display and sell their works. Over 6,000 people attended across the three-day run, with ceramic works on sale from as little as £20, all the way up to £20,000. Artists are selected to exhibit at Ceramic Art London. And this year, there were over 700 applications. It is an important show to get your name on the international scene, so Ana Silva came all the way from Guatemala to have her work seen in London. Her cute pieces are inspired by the landscapes of her home country and also by sheep. She says: "My work, it's inspired in Guatemalan landscapes and I have different elements—the animals, the sheep, especially this one with the little feet. And also I am representing the plants and the mountains with these green pieces."  Worm-like tentacles and gaping mouths form part of the collection by South Korean potter Shinhye You. They are parasitic-like creatures from a magical realist fictional world she has imagined and written about. Shinhye You says, "So basically because these stones were inside the dead people's body, so they are like parasites. So they will kind of mimic these aspects of parasites because they will consume the body of the dead. So I think that's why you've got this mouthy aspect." At the show were 1.5 tons of free clay for any beginners feeling inspired by what they see to have a go themselves. Ceramic Art London ran from April 19-21 at London's Olympia exhibition hall. This article was provided by The Associated Press.