‘Ode To The Baião - III' by Paul Morley - 2024

‘Ode To The Baião - III'

Paul Morley is a British sculptor and ceramicist, designing and creating from his Sussex based studio.

This Spring, Morley presents a series of four contemporary ‘totems’ that pay homage to the traditional Northeastern Brazilian music familiar as ‘Baião’. Popular during the 1950’s, the syncopated rhythm induced a particular dancing style associated with the genre. Each individual sculpture depicts this movement of two abstract figures.

The ceramic sculptures are carefully constructed using a single clay slab for each figure. They are joined with aminimal amount of clay to allow a partial view of the inside and partnering figure. This construction technique is fragile, in which the clay is very susceptible to warping, thus Morley uses an arduous drying process over several months to minimise this effect. The surface decoration is a mixture of layered underglazes and glazes that are applied and then scraped back to expose the raw clay in places. The clay is still in its most fragile ‘green’ (unfired) state during this process.The sculptures are then fired to earthenware.

Collection inspired from the Donald Fagan vocal line: ‘Slammin’ Out A Baiõn’.

Dimensions: 55cm x 26cm x 10cm

Paul’s ceramic work mainly consists of hand-built slabbed constructions. The sculptures are made from crank clay and fired to earthenware. They are decorated with various underglazes and glazes. 

His work is developed from small 2D abstract collages and paintings. Paul tends to work instinctively from his collages without any tight parameters on final outcomes, eliminatingany preconceptions of 3D solutions until he is in the moment of making. 

The work tends to be semi-architectural based on his interest of soviet bus stops, lido diving platforms and pylons. Constructivist, Brutalist and Futurist movements inform his work, along with geometrical art and abstract expressionism.

Domestic Orders:

Shipping to the United Kingdom will be calculated at checkout and includes an insurance premium to the item's full value.

You can also collect your order free of charge from McCully & Crane, 27 Cinque Ports St, Rye, TN31 7AD, United Kingdom. Just select 'Pick-up in Rye' at check-out.

International Orders:

Visit our Shipping & Returns page for more information.