Sandra Davolio

Sandra Davolio
Undulating Lines, 2016

Porcelain
C. 11 in. h x 10 in. diam

Works range from $5,500-$12,000
Courtesy of J.Lohmann Gallery

The focus of the Danish Design School in the 1980s, where Italian Sandra Davolio trained, was to create objects according to the principles of functionality, simplicity and clean lines.  Whilst adhering to these directives at the time - and politely producing useful, practical, plain objects - Davolio is no longer constrained.  Her interests in naval archaeology finds, objects from ancient Mediterranean cultures and prehistoric fossils are fully realised in her decorative sculptures and Undulating Lines has the diaphanous, delicate, wave-like features of a sea flower preserved in the moving tide.
 Davolio’s sculptures typically begin at the wheel and, with a nod to Danish Design, are classically shaped, for example, as bowls or vases.  However, she regards these simple, unadorned objects as “naked and in need of protection” so adds porcelain chunks to their surfaces, then works the clay until it’s transformed into fine layers and refined bands.  A fragile and temperamental material, porcelain presents risk at every stage of the process and works are often discarded: “I never know how many pieces will survive the big hammer I have in my workshop!” 
 Davolio’s work is in a number of collections including New York’s Museum of Arts and Design and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
 
For more information: jlohmanngallery.com

Hedge issue 50, pp72-77, May 2018