With help from the Arts Council England, the Joanna Bird Foundation’s first touring exhibition Marking the line; Ceramics and Architecture was launched. This project was conceived as a life-specific exhibition in response to Sir John Soane, one of Britain’s greatest architects. Firstly opened at Sir John Soane’s Museum, the show travelled on to two further houses designed by Soane: Port Eliot in Cornwall and Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing.
The Foundation commissioned the artists Nicholas Rena, Carina Ciscato, Clare Twomey and Christie Brown to create ceramic installations responding to the work of the architect. Above all, the exhibition sought to challenge where and how we view ancient and modern works of art. Consequently, by introducing contemporary ceramic art into an historic architectural setting visitors were able to explore the relationship between ceramics and architecture. Therefore, it was proved that different dialogues between the work and it’s historic setting emerged as the exhibition translated from one venue to the next.
In short, Marking the line has introduced many more people to Soane’s work and legacy, including his gem of a Museum in Holborn and his home at Pitzhanger Manor. ‘This is a fascinating exhibition with contemporary artists taking inspiration from one of our most visionary architects. ’ – Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.
