Born in 1953, Robert Dawson lives and works in London. He studied at Camberwell College of Arts and at the Royal College of Art (Department of Ceramics and Glass).
Robert Dawson speculates that life would be unbearable without the vulnerability engendered by its inherent uncertainties and mysteries. He likes to focus on the disconcerting, uncertain element and his body of work can be summed up, in his own words, as “aesthetic sabotage.”
The artist applies advanced photographic deformation and computerized image processing techniques to tiles or plates, creating odd perspectives and deforming traditional decorative motifs. One such motif is the Willow pattern, often called Blue Willow, inspired by older Chinese designs. As well-known in England as Toile de Jouy is in France, this pattern originated in 17th-century England and was later copied by the Chinese who, in the 19th century, produced their own version of an English pattern that originally drew its inspiration from China.
Most of his work reflects considerations pertaining to the nature of the decorated surface. However, the artist does not manifest a desire to break with the past. Instead, he proposes to re-examine the past, preserving emotional distance by resorting to anamorphosis and deformation of the motif.
Laurent de Verneuil, Curator, ‘Le Décor est Planté’, Manufacture Bernardaud, Limoges, 2011
Insanely gorgeous. I have adored willow pattern since I was a child. You will be able to understand how fabulous it was to find Willow Pattern fabric in Selfridges in the 60’s. I bought what I could afford-small batches-to make soft sculpture cups and saucers, donuts, picnic sets…I was a student at the Slade. On my 5 trip to the store-the assistant asked me what I was doing with this cloth. I had been used to lying about what I was doing with cloth because I didn’t want to explain I was an artist and obviously I was making willow pattern donuts. This time though I just said a ‘dinner service’. That ended the conversation.
Love what you have done with the pattern! [By the way back in the day I did a visiting lecturer spot in the Ceramics Dept at the RCA. ] Jann H.
Hi Jann, I have just seen your comment here – 11 months late is seems – and it’s good to hear, encouraging, makes my day happier, so many thanks! Fab to think of you buying Willow Pattern fabric at Selfridges in the 60s. So Selfridges was a useful department store in those days, not the glitzy place it is now. I’d love to see the Willow Pattern donuts. All the best, Robert