Clay Chess, 2017 © 

white stoneware & black earthenware, glazed

 

The central idea for the chess set starts with the base itself, with its classic motif of alternating surfaces in two colours. The repetition – accumulation of these two-dimensional shapes creates the pieces by transforming the original surface into volume.

The square, in its three-dimensional form becomes a cube and is the pawn, the lowest piece in rank and height. The form of the cube gives it a rigid, disciplined character.

The rook, the knight and the bishop are intermediary in hierarchy and also have an intermediate height. They are created by the shifting of the surfaces that create the initial cube in one or two directions. In this way, their difference in height relative to the pawn and their differentiated shape are assured.

Finally, the king and queen are created by a larger shifting upwards of the surfaces, symbolizing their position at the top of the hierarchy. 

The  material used  for the construction of the chess set is white and black clay.