If there is a trademark of Vincent Verde’s ceramic work, it is its irresistible visual profusion.

Through his works are revealed a consummate science of possible narration, of the object carrying snippets of a story in progress, of the form becoming a fragment of a discourse in suspension that can blossom at will. An uncertain temporality also contributes to this, thanks to the use of engobes often diluted, almost transparent, which confer depth and density to the objects, but especially a slightly worn aspect inscribing them in time, unless it is out of time.

But within this creation which does not hesitate to blur the tracks of its intrinsic characteristics – utilitarian, design, furniture, sculpture… –, an essential quality imposes itself and has become a true sign of recognition: graphic virtuosity.

Because if superimpositions and intermingling of colors play a fundamental role in the attractiveness of the works, another key element lies in the mastery, freedom and flexibility of the drawing, reinforced by an almost constant use of the sgraffito technique, consisting in engraving a motif that reveals the earth present under the slip. From there arise such peculiar vibrations that both order and animate the surfaces.

Many of the pieces produced for this exhibition, although they have gained in size, could nevertheless lead one to believe – a little quickly – that they have become more subdued. White and black dominate, restraint in the tints and frank oppositions are expressed, always with a quiver.

It is that many of them are animated by a motif that is the product of the earth itself and of the earth alone. The variation of the matter spreads animation and vibrations. The ornament, built by itself, balances and makes the pieces “hold”.

Mounted with the technique of coil mounting while cultivating an irregular aspect, they use all the movements of the design to serve a graphic character that is again fundamental and predominant.

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Vincent Verde (born 1971 in Marseille, where he lives) studied Art History at the University of Aix-Marseille and at the École du Louvre before entering ceramics in 1993, by designing jewelry for Delphine-Charlotte Parmentier and then Yohji Yamamoto.

His work is widely distributed in Europe and Japan.

In line with popular arts and traditions, he creates a modern, free and inventive ceramic. Feeding on Mediterranean imagery, he diverts common forms to create objects that he treats as sculptures. His forms are raw and the decorations are detailed for an art turned towards the everyday.

© Jean-Christophe Lett