Rita Koenig
"Girl with Eagle"' 23 cm x 36 cm,
The costume is inspired by 18th Century dresses. (A fun thing to create)
The girl, who in the company of her beloved eagle, delves into the illusion of freedom. She is holding her eagle tightly, ready to take off.
Rita was born in Germany before moving to New Zealand in 1994. Following her passion for Art & Design, she has received various diplomas in ceramics, design and production.
1999 she has completed her studies with a Batchelors Degree of Fine Arts. She has obtained a Masters Degree in computer graphic design as well in 2005.
Figurines - this body of work has been created over the last 2 years.
Artist Statement
Inspiration
A visit to Germany’s Royal Porcelain Manufacture Meissen, initially delivered the impetus to work figuratively. Further travels to South America deepened the urge to work and tell stories in clay. It seems to be the natural way on all continents to create narratives through figures. While searching for more ideas, I also came across the spanish porcelain manufacturer Lladro and Capodimonte of Italy, all of which are producing large numbers of highly detailed porcelain figurines.
Work
My pieces tell Stories. Stories about myself or others and sayings of old. Some stories allude to the category of conspirational theory and/or a play on newly adapted words used worldwide. However, it is also an exploration into the world of figurines.
Technology
New technological advances in the field of ceramics was the invention of fibre enforced stoneware or porcellain.
Fine white stoneware clay or porcellain is mixed with a fibres. The addition of fibres achieves incredible strength and out of the norm working processes, that surpass conservative sculpture making in clay. I have used this clay and method of working creatively since an introduction to it in Art School. Ever since that time I did further experimentation until I found the right clay and properties to allow me to add fine details to my work whilst minimising breakage and stress cracks.
Sometimes I glaze my work, sometimes I do not. I use underglazes or decals to enhance the figurine-story.
My figurines are to inspire thought, laughter or simply delight.
1999 she has completed her studies with a Batchelors Degree of Fine Arts. She has obtained a Masters Degree in computer graphic design as well in 2005.
Figurines - this body of work has been created over the last 2 years.
Artist Statement
Inspiration
A visit to Germany’s Royal Porcelain Manufacture Meissen, initially delivered the impetus to work figuratively. Further travels to South America deepened the urge to work and tell stories in clay. It seems to be the natural way on all continents to create narratives through figures. While searching for more ideas, I also came across the spanish porcelain manufacturer Lladro and Capodimonte of Italy, all of which are producing large numbers of highly detailed porcelain figurines.
Work
My pieces tell Stories. Stories about myself or others and sayings of old. Some stories allude to the category of conspirational theory and/or a play on newly adapted words used worldwide. However, it is also an exploration into the world of figurines.
Technology
New technological advances in the field of ceramics was the invention of fibre enforced stoneware or porcellain.
Fine white stoneware clay or porcellain is mixed with a fibres. The addition of fibres achieves incredible strength and out of the norm working processes, that surpass conservative sculpture making in clay. I have used this clay and method of working creatively since an introduction to it in Art School. Ever since that time I did further experimentation until I found the right clay and properties to allow me to add fine details to my work whilst minimising breakage and stress cracks.
Sometimes I glaze my work, sometimes I do not. I use underglazes or decals to enhance the figurine-story.
My figurines are to inspire thought, laughter or simply delight.
"Its not my Fault", 21 cm x 34 cm,
This story stands in complete contrast to the helicopter parent of today.
‘The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats’ (Die sieben Geisslein) incidently also called kids, is a german fairytale about young goats who don’t listen to their mum as she left the house. The story has taken me to childhood experiences where we too were often left by ourselves, often overwhelming for the oldest; me. When my parents came back, the standard answer: ‘…it’s not my fault…’.
"Queen of Hearts" 22 cm x 40 cm,
Who hasn’t fallen down the rabbit hole? Who has not been sitting at the tea or coffee table with the mad…? And so what, the Queen thrones over all: ‘Off with their head’, she screams at the slightest faux pas.