IOANA ŞETRAN
b. 1936
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The study of nature, that is of the living world in general, is my perpetual artistic concern.
After a period in which I was mainly interested in the secrets and multiplicity of shapes encountered in the vegetal world, I have started an "open cycle" – practically unlimited – of porcelain miniatures. My "insects" have nothing to do with entomology, therefore I have called them Living Beings. They are rather imaginary aggregates, combinations of real segments, they are hybrids whom nature did never invent. Sometimes I choose solutions that perform transfers between kingdoms, and it even happens that my leaves turn into elytra, into wings. In my works, the quantitative function of the language has a great importance: I usually do not exhibit the Living Beings as individual entities, as sole samples, but in colonies, as a population. (The quantitative function is also an evidence: three quarters of the creatures on Earth are insects.) I never use "mimetic" colours: the immaculate white of the Living Beings is a token of my aspiration towards purity and harmony. On the one hand, white expurgates the ferocious and terrifying aspects, and on the other hand, at an artistic level, it emphasizes the light-and-shadow play. Porcelain delicacy and roughness fit the minute way I approach my work. My effort is fully rewarded whenever my fragile structures pass the "fire test." Ioana Setran |
