Neolithic portable art

chalk warrior photo by: Withernsea at Hull and East Riding Museum.

After a conversation about some of the new pieces I have been working on, I started to discover the idea of “portable art” and the history behind it.

Many Neolithic and Palaeolithic cultures seemed to have ceramics in the forms of pocket sized art. That might have included noise makers, to ward off evil spirits, Sacred symbols of gods or statues, etched stones and engraved chalk or bone sculptures that might have served as plaques, for identity or memory, similar to cave art.

A famous example of this is the portable art of Venus Of Willendorf.

I have been wanting to connect with my own heritage lately in the form of art and after going down a rabbit hole of traditional and ancient ceramics that relate to my family roots, ( Yorkshire, England), I have found some interesting examples.

It seems that chalk was well used (There is beautiful white chalk in my local area for me to use) and made in the form of warrior figures, clay spoons with animal heads, animals and pendants and a beautiful chalk drum, hand carved with intricate patterns.

With my Celtic backgrounds and influences of ancient Yorkshire ceramic discoveries, I have opened a very exciting new creative flow.

I want to learn all I can and create portable art for us to carry for tradition, cultural, spiritual and for no particular reason beside beautiful reminders in our pockets. I want to create my own worlds and traditions where my portable art inspires, connects, brings you joy and reaches you.

So here I am, at the very beginning of what might end up being my lifes work or maybe as a personal journal through myself and into clay.

Any way it might go, from here I hope you will join me on my journey along the path to discover and create more portable art.

Tell me, have you got a story or more information for me to learn from about this concept? Please let me know.

Love Pammy.