Alexandra Standen, studio image, 2020. Courtesy: the artist and Chalk Horse, Sydney.

Chalk Horse presents a solo exhibition by artist Alexandra Standen titled Dirt Stories.

Standen: “One of my creative strengths is not my ability as a storyteller. Often failing to connect my internal narrative when delivering a story or anecdote, I have been known to leave out key details and confuse the plot; usually trailing off, losing interest or ending abruptly. I easily slip into a conversation with myself (or a monologue) due to my eagerness to convey a particular ending or outcome, only to find myself a little lost along the way. My verbal story-telling prowess and my creative process has a lot in common. Often without an idea of the ending, my ceramic forms embody a sense of exploration; they are in effect the story of me and my process. I am building a history into an object that lets go of a fixed outcome and accepts I don’t know how things end.

“Dirt Stories is a body of work that focuses on the unseen detail within conversations, represented in the creative dialogue between me and the clay. Ceramics is a medium with a long history and because of this it brings with it a wide range of meanings and assumptions. It is dirt, it is the earth. It is functional, fragile as well as rustic and utilitarian. It is sculptural and flexible, and it is precious and ornamental. It is the story of now; of me making while also being part of a larger narrative that intersects our shared histories and futures in yet unseen ways.

“While referencing the forms of classical ceramic vessels, these works form my style of prologue; a physical manifestation of my contribution to a bigger story.”

The gallery is open and adhering to social distancing measures.

The exhibition can also be viewed online. View the exhibition here.

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