LONDON.- This summer,
Pangolin London presents exquisite new work by Merete Rasmussen. The highly anticipated ceramic artist is known for her signature abstract forms brought to life with colour. Her first solo show in four years, this exhibition brings together an exciting body of new work which Rasmussen has created since moving out of London and building her own studio in the beautiful countryside of East Sussex.
Known for her instantly recognisable ceramics which are painstakingly hand-built using the coil technique, a highlight of the show, Dual Form, is a large piece in two segments, presented as one form and synergised by a flaming orange. Rasmussen has also been working on a new collection of smaller bronzes. The use of this material allows her the freedom to experiment with small scale works which are difficult in the ceramic.
Another highlight is an impressive red form of complex, hand-crafted geometry. The idea focuses on growth, moving from uniform rigour to organic, fluid configurations.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Rasmussen has also perfected a new approach to colour; tones that diffuse towards the edges to acheive a gradation of highlights and shadow, and alluding to more depth and movement within the piece.
This must-see exhibition of the summer allows visitors to closely examine the true complexity and beauty behind Rasmussens work. Her endeavour to capture movement often derives from repeated natural forms or even complex mathematical constructions like the Mobius strip one continuous edge whorling through and around itself. Working mainly in ceramic and metal, the artist uses vibrant colour to bring strength and energy to her sculpture.
I work with positive and negative space, meaning the space in between is as important as the physical mass itself. I make my sculptures with the idea of them being viewed from different angles to understand the form. - Merete Rasmussen, 2015
Collaborating with Pangolin Editions in recent years brought further diversity to Rasmussens sculpture. Casting in bronze enabled her to create much larger forms, and work that can be shown outdoors in a natural or urban environment. Her signature convolutions have also been transformed into sterling silver to create beautiful, statement jewellery.
Merete Rasmussen was born in Copenhagen and brought up in Sweden. Returning to Denmark to study at the Designskolen Kolding, she was inspired by the iconic designs of her fellow Danes, Arne Jacobsen and Verner Panton. Travelling widely during her studies, Rasmussen states that the sand dunes of Namibia, sculptural by nature, had a particularly potent effect on her work.
Merete Rasmussen has exhibited widely and her work is held in a number of public collections including The Victoria and Albert Museum, London; The Museum of Arts and Design, New York; The National Fund of Contemporary Arts, France; The Crafts Council Collection, UK and the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Pangolin London are delighted to represent Rasmussen in the UK.