Desert Forts
A series of small scale ceramic sculptures, inspired by Desert forts and Pele towers.
‘Desert Forts are a collection of hand-built contemporary ceramic sculptures inspired by the enduring architecture of ancient fortifications. Through textured clay surfaces and weathered forms, the work explores resilience, memory and the traces left by time, creating imagined structures that sit between archaeology and contemporary sculpture.
These small-scale ceramic sculptures also explore the idea of protection versus containment, and the effects of harsh landscapes on human habitation.
Inspiration
They refer to abandoned desert settlements, ancient forts and weathered architecture, small defended spaces that are forgotten places, once alive with battle, commerce, camel caravans and nomadic travellers, being gradually reclaimed by wind , weather and sand.
Pele Towers are also source of reference - they were a type of fortified tower found in the English and Scottish Borderlands, built between 1350 and 1600, that served as small castles, providing a defensible retreat against attacks from the Border Reivers, raiders and robbers from either side of the border.
Materials
The sculptures are carefully hand-built from earthenware, porcelain, black clay and oxides, each piece is high fired to further distress the buildings - the heat of the kiln can produce unpredictable results. The results are durable sculptural forms that balance fragility with permanence.
Desert Fort — contemporary ceramic sculpture by Jan Goodey. A chambered, fortified caravanserai in terracotta, porcelain and oxides, inspired by abandoned desert architecture.
Fortified Farm Settlement — handbuilt ceramic sculpture in terracotta, porcelain and oxides, inspired by abandoned and weathered fortified settlements.
Fortress — handbuilt contemporary ceramic sculpture in terracotta and porcelain, inspired by ruined caravanserai and ancient desert forts.
Towers and Roof Shields — architectural ceramic sculpture in terracotta, porcelain and metal, referencing Pele Towers and medieval battering rams protected by roof structures.
Tall Settlement - contemporary ceramic sculpture Chambered Fortified Settlement. A contemporary Ceramic sculpture, hand constructed from porcelain and terracotta .
Defensive settlement. Small scale Ceramic Sculpture Inspired by ancient fortified settlements. Hand built from black clay, terracotta and porcelain ceramics
Watch Tower — contemporary ceramic sculpture in terracotta and porcelain. A brooding fortified form inspired by watch towers, exploring ideas of surveillance, protection and defended space.
Watch Tower, alternative view — contemporary ceramic sculpture in high-fired earthenware, porcelain and black clay, inspired by fortified architecture and defensive structures.