Agalis Manessi’s work lies within the tradition of maiolica and celebrates this rich historical medium. Her influences are diverse, ranging from the sophistication of Italian Istoriato dishes through to the simplicity of humble folk wares. She strives for poetic mastery through pictorial representation, trying to retain a freshness of palette that belies the difficulty of the process.
Drawing upon experiences of viewing subjects in churches, museums and galleries, as well as observations directly from life, Manessi’s work is inspired by portraits and animals depicted by a variety of Renaissance painters such as Pisanello and Gentile da Fabriano, Flemish masters like Lucas Cranach, English artists Edwin Landseer, George Stubbs and Christopher Wood, and the Fauvist work of Maurice Denis and Franz Marc. Animated vessels express a gentle humour which is offset by the suggestive poise of their condensed forms. Portrait dishes are softly coiled, with painted images built up of composite features worked up from notebook sketches. Modelled animals and figures take on a more enigmatic nature, communicating a silent yet eloquent message that resonates with the viewers.
