‘The hand made quality suits these playful works which elaborates the traditional scenes of courting couples, often pagan shepherds and shepherdesses. The idea of romantic or courtly love is subverted with their clothing unashamedly removed to reveal an open and free expression of sexuality and sensuality. Along with a sense of playfulness and humour I wanted these works to be celebratory where sexuality as an inclusive part of life as in the ancient classical origins with it celebration of phallus as opposed to the binary polarities of a Christian tradition.

There is also the theme of spring. The figurers are often accompanied by representations of nature, with supporting trees and stumps sprouting new growth of leaves and flowers, suggesting spring’s associations of fertility and renewal.

The titles of the works also reveal a further underlying theme or political intent, as historically, figurines often acted a form of social commentary or courtly entertainment, like small staged representations the works comment on the machinations of the art world, what’s hot and what’s not, the sexiness of the art market where art becomes commodity.

These seemingly decorative figurines which once graced the mantelpieces of respectable homes now are sexy parables of our time.’

Kate Dorrough