Artwork of the month - video (54 sec)

Ceramic Suitcase - Foo Dog

Year	2020
Size	37 cm x 23 cm x 45 cm
Materials	white clay, ceramic glazes
Options	/
Edition	1/1
For Sale	Yes, contact our gallery Fred&Ferry (Antwerp, BE)
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This ceramic sculpture has its origins in a working trip / residency in Hong Kong. The work refers, on the one hand, to the tradition of the Chinese ‘foo dog’ and, on the other hand, to the suitcase project developed by Robbert&Frank Frank&Robbert.

The foo dog or Chinese guardian lion was traditionally placed at either side of the entrance to palaces, temples and tombs. They symbolise nurture, prosperity and power, and protect buildings against malignant spiritual influences.

The sculpture is also inspired by a wooden suitcase that the artists assembled some years ago (Dog Demon Suitcase, 2015). This suitcase is in fact a box of blocks containing all the elements to construct a human figure, a demon or a doggie. A transforming object that thus represents the performative and changing nature of F&R R&F’s artistic practice.

During a trip to the Hong Kong island of Po Toi, the artists activated their Dog Demon Suitcase alongside their Alter-Ego Suitcase (2015). This brought about the connotation of a temple guardian lion. In this unique and coincidental way, their suitcase took on a new dimension. F&R R&F attach great value to this artwork’s evolution, which is what led them to dedicate a new ceramic sculpture to this story and this creature.

Now this sculpture can go on to create a new story in a new context.

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