Namingha, Les – “Modern Basket Weave” Jar

7.25"w x 7"h

$ 4,200.00

This is a complex jar by Les Namingha.  It has a round shoulder and a short neck. The jar combines various design elements of his work within the context of his “layering” style.  The various designs on the jar are inspired by basket designs.  The top and bottom have dramatic geometric patterns.  The central area has layers of colors along with more classic checkerboard and triangular designs. Notice the larger, almost black areas?  Those are a series of grids painted one on top of another.  There is a close-up of one of these areas.  Les said, “I wanted to create a minimalist composition consisting of multi-layer grid patterns creating a woven-like texture”.   The overall impact of the black-and-white coloration along with the various bands of color gives the jar a modernist appearance.  Les has also used a variety of techniques in the creation of the piece.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Les Namingha  2021”.  Les says of his pieces which have layering:

“The concept of layering is inherent in our mortal journey. As time moves forward, our memories become layered. Some memories remain vibrant, others faint or hazy. Yet others, obscure or even hidden. Likewise, our experiences, words, works, emotions, prayers, and songs build up in layers creating our existence. In turn, our social interactions become exercises in layering. We see this in evidence with street art or graffiti writing where layers of thought and a desire to express a “proof of existence” create tapestries of color and marks. Blending, covering, harmonizing, dissonance, disappearing. This concept of layering is the idea behind Urban Polychrome and other works in the Urban Series.”  Les Namingha