About the Work

STRANGE FRUIT is a response to the almost alchemical process of developing and executing glazes and glazing. It is an evocative assemblage that intertwines past and present, exploring complex emotional landscapes. Inspired by Walter Benjamin’s method of constructing meaning through images, this artwork reflects an intuitive constellation of ideas. At its core, the piece touches on psychoanalytic themes of descending into emotional depths for self-growth and authentic expression.

The central motif of pomegranates, inspired by the myth of Persephone, symbolizes a connection between darkness and knowledge. This duality is key to the narrative of the piece, where the pomegranates represent the seeds of consciousness, binding Persephone to the underworld and reflecting a journey into the unknown.

Visually, the artwork presents a grid-like structure with concentric, radiating lines. The organic, textured shapes of the pomegranates emerge from the geometric framework, symbolizing the tension between order and emotional chaos. The earthy tones and the dark, ripe fruit create a rich contrast against the white highlights, reinforcing the balance between light and darkness - knowledge and uncertainty - present in the work.

© Camilla Howalt