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Claude Urbani
Abstract Expressionist Etruscan Inspired Decorative Ceramic.

1993

About the Item

Abstract Expressionist ceramic by French artist Claude Urbani. Signed to the front side and dated 93. Incised Antibes 1993 to the reverse. Urbani is a ceramicist, sculptor, modeler and painter one of the last great ceramicists from the golden 'Picasso' period of the 20th century at Antibes. From an early age, Claude distinguished himself in drawing lessons, his creative line: energy, spontaneity. Claude has always been fascinated by the earth. A desire for osmosis linked to his family origins in Tuscany and Umbria. He seeks in his material, art and its contrasts, in his creations both spontaneity and rigor. He draws his inspiration from mythology. "What is inspiration in my case?" "It's been since the beginning of my life, the heart, the passion, the love of nature, the beauty of life and besides, the unconstrained spirit"... 'My profession, sculptor, painter, ceramist. It is above all a passion. Lightning in the act of working, of creating a relationship with natural materials such as earth, wood, stone, pigments.' Located in the old quarter of Antibes, and more recently under the ramparts not far from the port, his atelier is a treasure trove filled with ceramics of all sizes as well as drawings and paintings exploding with colour and exciting form. His sources of inspiration are many, including his very own Etruscan origins. All this, influenced and moulded by the wonderful light of the Côte d'Azur (French Riviera). This piece traverses many time zones and many styles. The design of the ceramic is influenced by surrealist art particularly reminiscent of the melting misshapen objects in a Dali painting. The undulating form and seemingly unfinished edges point to an object moulded and shaped by time, much as glass moves and deforms over the years. The patterns are inspired by ornamental designs from Etruscan frescos. And yet there are modern elements to the piece in the two faces incised into the opposing edges. When hung against a wall the ceramic casts a subtle shadow of these faces harking back to Janus looking both into the past and the future. The faces carved out in one plane to the side is also a nod to Picasso and Cocteau and their abstractions of the human face. Highly glazed and bursting with colour this work of art has great energy and modern appeal .
  • Creator:
    Claude Urbani
  • Creation Year:
    1993
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 22.84 in (58 cm)Width: 18.12 in (46 cm)Depth: 1.19 in (3 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Cotignac, FR
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: GB/Urbani/Ceramic/Dinah1stDibs: LU1430211866052
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