Marie Smith

Armand, 2023

Fired Terra Rossa di Montelupo clay on wooden stand | 30 x 19 x 24 cm

‘I met Armand at a studio in Florence and sculpted his portrait using Terra Rossa di Montelupo clay sourced from the Arno River. Armand was born in Albania and his family relocated to Italy when he was a child. His striking profile and reflective gaze were captivating to sculpt. The intensity and solemnness of our sessions were made lighter by our conversations about Italian cooking. When completed, the portrait was dried and fired in the kiln, where a cool grey clay became the warm-toned ceramic you see today.'

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