The Screen
Vida e MorteNatalia Dias
03 October - 31 October 2011
Natalia Dias is a Gold Medal winner of the 2010 National Eisteddfod of Wales. She is a Portuguese artist located in Wales, predominantly working in ceramic and most notably known for her ceramic hearts and objects. Vida e Morte began whilst Natalia was studying at the University of Wales in Cardiff. Vida e Morte translates to ‘Life and Death’ and for Natalia the work symbolizes the essence of the human condition; embodying love, nature, life and death.
Seeing the potential in Natalia as a visual artist, Mission Gallery has profiled Natalia, giving her the opportunity to explore and develop her technique of creating ephemeral qualities within ceramic. The ceramic used for Vida e Morte possesses an ephemeral quality where by the work has an imminent and destructive end, leaving ash as the only remains. It suggests our frailties and self destructive tendencies and core strength to restore ourselves and rise from the ashes. The cycles of nature poignant in the beating breath of the constant rhythm of the video work.
Vida e Morte shown previously as a video only, has come alive within Mission Gallery as an installation of both film and ceramic. This unique opportunity to see both works together, expresses the brittle transience of life and its humble beauty, from the minute of its installation to its imminent end.
