Matthew Groves – Harvest

New work created in response to the events of 9/11

The attack on the World Trade Center in 2001 still leaves us speechless, but yet the aftermath of the events of 9/11 have changed life worldwide: they caused distrust between people, lead to a circle of violence, to war and hate. We are still far from peace, from reconciliation, from a way out of the abyss, from healing, but hesitant approaches are perceptible. It is time to recover and to find a way to overcome the hidden fears, the inherent bias, racism, class distinction and religious arguments.

For his exhibition, "Harvest", Matthew Groves created two pieces of ceramics work dealing with these complex and often conflicting matters. "Oranges and Lemons", two huge tapered vessels, remind us of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, with their characteristic vertical stripes. Also reminiscent of cinerary urns, filled with ashes and memories, Matthew Groves decided to mount them so that they can be rung like bells, bells of mourning, bells of freedom, division bells, "The Bells of Rhymney", a poem dealing with the conditions of coalmining in Wales during the 1920ies, to which Matthew Groves refers. The vessels without bases are permanently unenclosed, open to new thoughts which echo inside, ready to call for a peaceful revolution.

For "One" and "The other One" Matthew Groves formed twin vessels in the tradition of English Harvest Jugs, which were used to supply liquid refreshments to field workers in the 19th century. Again the vessels are mounted, veiling a figure, only the feet emerge; "Since the attack on the World Trade Center ten years ago, I have often found myself reflecting upon the circle of violence between the UK and Eire. These two pieces express some of my sentiments regarding the lack of separation between Church and State in Britain and the USA. The scratched design on "One" is based upon the one dollar note. The scratched design on "The other One" it is based upon an English pound note from the early 1950's."

The destroyed World Trade Center alters its symbolic meaning. In 1974, long before 9/11, German artist Joseph Beuys reworked a postcard showing the twin towers. Instead of buildings made of glass and steel two large bars of margarine appeared named Cosmos and Damian. Beuys referred to the legendary physicians Cosmas and Damian, changing the first name to Cosmos and thus naming the dualism of vision and the individual effort. Beuys knew that the capitalist harvest was futile and worthless. The only treasure we have is creativity, and he sowed this knowledge, expecting, with his Social Sculpture, to inspire people to become contributors to a fair society. So does Jimmy Mirikitani, known from the documentary "The cats of Mirikitani" which moved Matthew Groves to work on "Harvest". Jimmy claims "Make art, not war." Matthew Groves answered his call.

MATTHEW GROVES, originally from England, has been based in Chicago for the last 16 years and is currently a practicing studio artist, and an Assistant Professor of Fine Art in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Loyola University Chicago. Since graduating from the Royal College of Art, with a Masters Degree in Ceramics and Glass, he has made it his vocation to be a teacher, maker of ceramics, and a professional fine art and design technician in colleges, universities, studios, workshops and museums.

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