The Things That Grow in Between

The Things That Grow in Between is the first solo exhibition by ceramic artists Luke Perkins, presenting a playful installation that explores a weirdness in ceramic. This entirely new body of work pushes the boundaries of what we expect from the medium of clay and challenges the conventional notions of ceramics and craft. Luke’s work is both process-based, but draws heavy inspiration from enigmatic aspects of nature that can transport you to another planet, where strange and delicate creations grow naturally. Each piece resembles a member of an undiscovered species seemingly sprouting from the Gallery floor and has grown to an absurd size.

Perkins’ intention is to entice viewers with the vibrant colours and soft forms of his sculptures, before asking them to enquire. Imagine discovering these objects by chance, in a forest or emerging from the cracks in pavement – what are they? Where do they originate? Are they artificial, organic, extraterrestrial, or a prehistoric species?

Drawing inspiration from prehistoric organisms like Prototaxities, Perkins reflects on the fascinating existence of colossal fungal growths that once populated the Earth 400 million years ago. Growths that could have carpeted the primordial, bacteria-rich Earth with forests of alien growths pointing to the sky. He likes to imagine how the possibility of a future where new, alien-like life forms emerge, perhaps resembling the very work he creates.

These objects exist a realm in-between half alien and half nature, evolving unpredictably as Perkins creates them. As viewers engage with his art, they may see a modern iteration of Perkins’ Prototaxites or envision sleeves of a colourful knitted jumper. Perkins invites viewers to challenge the familiar and bring them into a world of the weird and liminal.

Artist Bio

Luke Perkins is a British ceramic artist from Hertfordshire, who now lives and works in East London. After graduating with a First Class BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art: Sculpture from UAL in 2019, he has since worked as an assistant to the artist Henry Hudson, and is currently Head Technician at Turning Earth Studios in Leyton, London. While his earlier work took the form of video & installation, his recent work is dedicated to the ceramic arts. He counts his background in sculpture and installation as in dialogue with the historical craft connotations of clay, challenging the visual language of the medium.

The Things That Grow in Between is one of three new solo exhibitions featuring work by recipients of the 2023 Letchworth Open Bursaries.