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Pierre le Riche | Urns for the Ashes of My Lost Lovers Part II

Past viewing_room
7 July - 3 September 2022
  • Pierre le Riche I Urns for the Ashes of My Lost Lovers Part II

  • For his second solo exhibition with THK Gallery, Urns for the Ashes of My Lost Lovers Part II, Le Riche has reprised his interest in adapting the forms generated by anonymous artisans, here potters, to create a series of enigmatic ceramic vessels.

    • Pierre le Riche, Faceted urn, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Faceted urn, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Pink vessel with blue figures, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Pink vessel with blue figures, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Fire-dance for all my brothers in hell, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, Fire-dance for all my brothers in hell, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, An urn for every time we fall, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, An urn for every time we fall, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Even layers show cracks, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, Even layers show cracks, 2021
  • Sean O’Toole writes: Pierre le Riche learnt the basics of ceramics, a medium rooted in wet exploration but transformed into brittle robustness by heat, during his sculpture studies. “I loved ceramics so much that I felt I needed to continue with it,” says the artist. It helps to know that Le Riche’s studies were framed by his investigation of the history and output of “absent craftsman”, notably South African woodworkers.

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    • Pierre le Riche, Self-portrait as an urn, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Self-portrait as an urn, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, A dripping bloom, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, A dripping bloom, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Twisted urn, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Twisted urn, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Overflowing urn, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Overflowing urn, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Bubbling over urn, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, Bubbling over urn, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, We fell in love again after a day at Sandy Bay, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, We fell in love again after a day at Sandy Bay, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, Cut me and I bleed colour, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, Cut me and I bleed colour, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, Self-portrait in sleep, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Self-portrait in sleep, 2022
  • Form, method and colour are integral to appreciation of Le Riche’s mostly coiled pots, some with radically tapered bases like Grecian amphorae. Unlike his student body of work, for which Le Riche learnt traditional woodturning, his vessels are imaginative translations of forms derived from ritual objects and functional vessels. One particular form recurs in this vivid miscellany: the lidded funerary urn. For Le Riche, urns are powerful repositories of memories, thoughts and emotions.

    • Pierre le Riche, Searching for the exit, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Searching for the exit, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Even though we are conjoined we never seem to reach, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Even though we are conjoined we never seem to reach, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Bust for self-loathing, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Bust for self-loathing, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Learning urn, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Learning urn, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Sketches of self-worth, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, Sketches of self-worth, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, Untitled, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Untitled, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, I am shattered, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, I am shattered, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, I pretend that everything is fine, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, I pretend that everything is fine, 2022
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  • He utilised traditional raku, wood and salt firing methods to harden his pieces. Their exterior surfaces feature lavish colour treatments, tart inscriptions and – in a series of terracotta works – archetypal figures drawn from earlier textile works. Le Riche spent a great deal of time refining his glazing technique. “Glazing is alchemy,” he says. “You throw minerals together and hope they’ll come out beautiful.” He keeps a box of glazing samples in his studio. They are material references of refusal and transformation.

    • Pierre le Riche, An urn for your swelling self-conceit, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, An urn for your swelling self-conceit, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, Counting the days, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, Counting the days, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, Days with/without, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, Days with/without, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, A three-tiered urn for a man with a ginger fetish, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, A three-tiered urn for a man with a ginger fetish, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, A threesome is just arms and legs, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, A threesome is just arms and legs, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Greed, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Greed, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, My eyes are down here, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, My eyes are down here, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Dancing ghosts I, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Dancing ghosts I, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, A jar for the chasers, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, A jar for the chasers, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Dancing ghosts II, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Dancing ghosts II, 2022
  • Similar to his student research into settler and slave traditions of woodworking, Le Riche is cognisant of the loaded socio-political history of ceramics. This invisible surplus contributes to the engaging vitality of the medium, he says. For his presentation at THK Gallery, Le Riche has opted to bring elements of his messy studio practice into the public realm. “I want to mimic the crazy of the studio. These objects are conceived in the chaos. It is important that they are seen and appreciated in chaos too.”

    • Pierre le Riche, I don’t know which part of me is up or down, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, I don’t know which part of me is up or down, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, The Embrace, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, The Embrace, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, The collectors I, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, The collectors I, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, The collectors II, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, The collectors II, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, The collectors III, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, The collectors III, 2022
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    • Pierre le Riche, A wishing jar for gay fantasies, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, A wishing jar for gay fantasies, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, A wishing jar for straight ideals, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, A wishing jar for straight ideals, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, Urn for an embrace, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Urn for an embrace, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, My body turned to salt as I turned round to look at you, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, My body turned to salt as I turned round to look at you, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, 'n Urne vir myself, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, 'n Urne vir myself, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, 'n Urne vir Mamma, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, 'n Urne vir Mamma, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, 'n Urne vir Pappa, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, 'n Urne vir Pappa, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, 'n Urne vir Ouboet, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, 'n Urne vir Ouboet, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, I built this urn in a hurry and it cracked all over, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, I built this urn in a hurry and it cracked all over, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, Altered vessel 1, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Altered vessel 1, 2022
    • Pierre le Riche, The climb, 2021
      Pierre le Riche, The climb, 2021
    • Pierre le Riche, Altered vessel 2, 2022
      Pierre le Riche, Altered vessel 2, 2022
  • About Pierre le Riche

    About Pierre le Riche

    Pierre le Riche (b.1986, Port Elizabeth) is a conceptual artist with a practice spanning many mediums and techniques, and widely recognised for his dynamic use of string and textiles. He uses thread as structural element – both a connection point, an unravelling, and a space demarcation – and evokes a complex set of ready-made associations through material and colour use: exploring permeable gender roles and liminal identities. Weaving a complex set of associations, the threads running through his practice tap into a rich seam of metaphor and ambiguity.

     

    He has participated in many projects and exhibitions in South Africa and abroad, and has worked with the likes of Cartier, Daimler, Power Play, and Trenery. He has recently showed adaptations of his Rainbow Room installation in the United States of America and the People's Republic of China; both being part of traveling exhibitions.

     

    Le Riche holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Cape Town's Michaelis School of Fine Art.

     

    DOWNLOAD FULL BIO & CV >

  • Press

    • Pierre le Riche | San Diego Magazine | Wonderspaces returns to the B Street Pier
      Press

      Pierre le Riche | San Diego Magazine | Wonderspaces returns to the B Street Pier

      June 13, 2019
      An article on the third year of Wonderspaces in San Diego, which debuted 13 incredible installations that challenged visitors to explore their own and collective experiences, environments, and relationships. With...
    • Floornature | Hologram H10 by Pierre Le Riche at the Minsheng Museum, Beijing
      Press

      Floornature | Hologram H10 by Pierre Le Riche at the Minsheng Museum, Beijing

      September 1, 2018
      South African artist Pierre Le Riche developed the installation for Cartier's Coloratura High-Jewelry in the largest public space for contemporary art in China, the Minsheng Contemporary Art Museum in Beijing,...
    • Creative Feel | Pierre le Riche | Sasol New Signatures Merit Award Winner
      Press

      Creative Feel | Pierre le Riche | Sasol New Signatures Merit Award Winner

      July 25, 2018
      An interview with Pierre le Riche on his 2018 Sasol New Signatures Merit Award. Read the full interview here .
    • KUNSTFORUM International | COVID-19 'The Mask Project' | Pierre le Riche X Nonzuzo Gxekwa
      Press

      KUNSTFORUM International | COVID-19 "The Mask Project" | Pierre le Riche X Nonzuzo Gxekwa

      August 6, 2020
      Feature on Kunstforum International regarding The Mask Project, a collaboration between THK Gallery artists Pierre le Riche and Nonzuzo Gxekwa. Read the full piece here .
    • Latitudes | The Mask Project | Nonzuzo Gxekwa x Pierre Le Riche
      Press

      Latitudes | The Mask Project | Nonzuzo Gxekwa x Pierre Le Riche

      July 20, 2020
      An article on The Mask Project collaboration between THK Gallery artists Nonzuzo Gxekwa and Pierre le Riche. Read the full piece here .
    • Ocula Magazine | The Mask Project
      Press

      Ocula Magazine | The Mask Project

      July 30, 2020
      A feature on the colloborative project between THK artists Pierre le Riche and Nonzuzo Gxekwa, titled The Mask Project . Read the full article here .
    • VISI | Picks of the Week | Pierre Le Riche X Signatura Collaboration at WEX1
      Press

      VISI | Picks of the Week | Pierre Le Riche X Signatura Collaboration at WEX1

      November 10, 2020
      An article which features the installation work of Pierre le Riche. Read the full piece here .
    • Art Times | Pierre le Riche
      Press

      Art Times | Pierre le Riche

      May 1, 2021
      Feature on Pierre le Riche's new solo show 'Urns for the Ashes of my Lost Lovers', currently on show at THK Gallery from 06 May - 26 June 2021. Read...
    • Pierre le Riche | Urns for the Ashes of my Lost Lovers | Press Release
      Press

      Pierre le Riche | Urns for the Ashes of my Lost Lovers | Press Release

      May 6, 2021
      THK Gallery is proud to announce Pierre Henri le Riche's latest solo show Urns for the Ashes of My Lost Lovers: Part 1. Read the full Press Release here .
    • Pierre le Riche | Elephant Art | The Need-to-Know Artists From 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2021
      Press

      Pierre le Riche | Elephant Art | The Need-to-Know Artists From 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2021

      October 15, 2021
      An article with mention of THK artist Pierre le Riche and his works exhibited at 1-54 London 2021. Read the full piece here .
    • VISI | Pierre le Riche | All the Threads of the Rainbow | Interview
      Press

      VISI | Pierre le Riche | All the Threads of the Rainbow | Interview

      June 27, 2013
      An interview with Pierre le Riche regarding his yarn bombing installations. Read the full piece here .
    • Artskop | Hot Demand for African Art at London’s 1-54 Fair
      Press

      Artskop | Hot Demand for African Art at London’s 1-54 Fair

      October 17, 2021
      An Artskop article on the 1-54 London 2021 art fair, with quotes from THK Gallery Director Linda Pyke. Read the full article here .
    • Artalkers Italy | 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2021: proposals from four galleries in London
      Press

      Artalkers Italy | 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair 2021: proposals from four galleries in London

      November 12, 2021
      An article on the 1-54 London art fair, with mention of THK Gallery. Read the full piece here .
    • The South African | THK Gallery at 1-54 London 2021
      Press

      The South African | THK Gallery at 1-54 London 2021

      October 15, 2021
      An article with mention of THK Gallery's participation at 1-54 London 2021. Read the full piece here .
    • VISI | Dairy: Local Exhibitions | //thread
      Press

      VISI | Dairy: Local Exhibitions | //thread

      July 23, 2020
      A compilation of online exhibitions, with mention of current show //thread and Nonzuzo Gxekwa's solo show Life is Beautiful. Read the full piece here .
    • VISI | //thread
      Press

      VISI | //thread

      August 6, 2020
      A feature on //thread, the current show in display at THK Gallery. Read the full feature here .
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