Michele Coxon

MA Art & Design

Ceramics

Statement

By taking religious icons and expressing them in contemporary terms I am confronting religious beliefs and traditions. The images I use are powerful symbols taken from the church and the story of Christ. I try to combine the profound and the playful by replacing religious figures with modern day iconic celebrities such as Gilbert and George or Grayson Perry and invite the viewer to reflect on how they feel about the changes. Does it shock or make you laugh? I want to evoke an emotional feeling and at the same time have some fun. Some of my pieces also comment on world politics as in my piece about Ai Wei Wei My spiritual style draws upon myths, symbols and works of art and embraces the elements of nature. I am using a powerful narrative which is ingrained within the history of art and religion.