Wieki Somers, High Tea Pot 2003.

This work also fascinates me; again I discovered it whilst doing research for my written paper and it has become a key influence in my work. I originally saw it as part of the Telling Tales Exhibition in September 2009, but the V&A have now acquired one for their collection so I will be able to get closer to it for further scrutiny. A strange and emotive object, it's links with Oppenheims' 'Lunch in Fur' seem very direct to me.  The example that I  recently saw at the V&A really surprised me; it was enormous, the actual size of a pigs skull I assume. It's form, and the cultural associations linked to its materiality force a questioning of function; it is a thing out of place. However, the use of bone china, the insulating properties of the rat fur, the lid and the spout are all very practical! Tea and cake anyone?!

High Tea Pot 2003  Wieki Somers