Flower Bear Deity, 2010-2024

The Flower Bears series was inspired by an eighteenth-century Meissen Snowball Blossoms teapot. I was fascinated by its intricate hand-painted flowers and the extraordinary patience and skill required to make them.

During a residency in Jingdezhen, China, in 2010, I began creating sculptures influenced by Tang Dynasty court ladies, whose plum-shaped figures symbolised wealth and health. Over time, these forms evolved naturally into bear-like figures, bringing a playful and approachable quality to the work.

By combining delicate porcelain flowers with these whimsical forms, I explore a balance between technical skill, beauty and playfulness.