DRIPS & BUTTERFLIES, 2024
Ana+Betânia present a collection of ceramic pots featuring words about femininity and cultural archetypes around women. These pots play with the iconic imagery associated with “Barbie” (they use Barbie’s iconic 90’s logo font) while juxtaposing it with other “B” words that expand this narrative.
Altough one might find soft moments, with bright shiny colours, intricate detailing, celebrating femininity in a classic, sophisticated way. Nonetheless, one can also play with more humorous, ironic or even somehow rutheless takes, as some pots appear in their raw surface, lacking the classical smooth glaze.
Playing alongside with these words, one finds some of the pots overflowing with opulent honey-like liquids, like teardrops, metallic fluids, made of gold, platinum and silver.
Sensing these glorious honey drips, several butterflies approach, as if fatally attracted to them. The delicate butterflies, in various stages of flight, symbolize transformation, beauty, and the ephemeral nature of life… as an opposite to these precious metals, ever countaining perpetual wealth and power.
Together, these pieces invite viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between power and beauty.
