Art and philosophy

Pottery and philosophy have been combined in a new exhibition at the Russell-Cotes Museum.

Mosaic artist Cleo Mussi blended different ceramic styles, forms and colours in her new collection 'A-Z Hand Book'. The image of a hand is a symbol and the idea of a hand book developed a guide through an alphabet of images.

Pieces were presented in traditional A-Z format, set alongside a series of inspiring text created by the writer, Paul Patterson.

The art exponents presented not only hand images and letters, but deep philosophical meaning.

The exhibition started with A, which stands for alphabet. Two mosaic palms containing letters and patterns. Paul Patterson describes its philosophical meaning: "Letters of the English aphabet, a system of vowels and consonants capable of combining to move men to tears, force change, give us meaning, capture a moment, put in print and tell a story."

Human feelings, characteristics and acts such as love, care, wisdom, kissing, reflexology and flying are expressed in art pieces. Everything around creates a positive atmosphere and makes the visitor think about life.

Many ceramics and scultures had their inspirations in Chinese traditions, philosophy and culture. So, "Ying and Yang" symbolise heaven and earth, day and night, male and female, art and science, the endless debate of being or non-being, the ultimate secret - just within our reach.

After the letter Z (for Zen) visitors get ready to leave the exhibition with quite minds and a broader view on life.

Freelance craft curator Miranda Leonard said: "Apart of being beautiful, Cleo's mosaics are often provoking, even subversive, and this originality adds to their collectability."

The exhibition will be open for viewers till June.