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How many times have you heard the response ‘Huh, a monkey could have done that’?
Generally from experience usually the words fall dismissively from the lips of someone
faced with a material piece of human endeavour (the wider word calls ‘art’)
that they just can’t understand. Perhaps the next step up from this forthright
type of criticism is ‘My three year old could have done that’.
Whilst children occur regularly as the subject of art it is perhaps unsurprising
from a Western European perspective that monkeys don’t! Aside from King Kong
and Tarzan and Disney’s version of Jungle Book I can’t think of many instances
of the ape as subject matter. When one does appear it is in a subservient or unflattering
role.
However recently I bumped into two apes that have made me reconsider. Firstly I sold
a Royal Doulton Character Ape, a humorous figure which shows the seated individual
with a book in its lap something which suggests a sideswipe to Darwinism. Although
relatively mass produced it is the tongue in cheek face of art from a Western standpoint.
In my second encounter I came across a Nigerian, Yoruba carved figure of a monkey.
This one was different, but equally engaging, unlike the Royal Doulton Character Ape
which was one of an identical number, this was completely bespoke. I am familiar with
Royal Doulton, but understandably am less so with ethnic carving, let alone the products
of Yoruba.
Rather than a purely decorative object it was obviously intended to have some
function – though I have no idea what. Frankly it has a disproportionately large
head and teeth and seems pretty unfriendly, but then I do realise it wasn’t
made for me. I suspect, even though this is not my field of expertise, it had some
ritualistic, religious or social function and I guess it was no fertility symbol (work
it out for yourself) he looks pretty aggressive and strong and doesn’t seem
to be wholly ape, just like the Doulton Character Ape, there is an anthropomorphic
aspect to him, but why is he holding a cup?
Is it now art - well why ever not? I liked the Yoruba monkey so he is now nakedly
presiding over my kitchen, my wife has made no comment, but then our terrier also
roams nakedly around our kitchen, but I can assure you he is definitely no work of
art!
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This article was
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Nic Saintey's Blog
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Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:13:07 GMT.
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 | Nic Saintey ASFAV
Nic Saintey is a Director of Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood, with responsibility for marketing and advertising. He is also Head of the Ceramics and Glass Department.
Nic Saintey's first career was in the Armed Forces where he served both as a military parachutist and paramedic in Europe, North America, East Africa and the Middle East.
He joined Lawrence’s of Crewkerne in early 1995 before moving to their Taunton branch as a general valuer and saleroom manager.
Nic joined Bearne’s in June 2000 to head up the expanding ceramic department, before joining the Board in 2003. His effervescent nature and wide experience has seen him regularly appear as an expert on the BBC’s Bargain Hunt and Flog It programmes.
He undertakes regular talks and contributes articles to both Devon and Cornwall Life magazines. His interests particularly include pottery in general, but especially that produced in Donyatt and North Devon, he is a keen runner and has recently taken up motor sport at a local circuit.
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