Joana Vasconselos, Tea pavilion

Joana Vasconselos
Tea pavilion, 2012
Wrought iron, jasmine plants
359 x 509 x 345 cm
Courtesy of the artist

Tea pavilion presents a familiar object - both functional and decorative - that has been scaled up. The teapot is reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. The sculpture's wrought-iron motifs echo those of fences and railings. The work's transparency blurs the boundary between outer and inner spheres, erasing notions of private and public. With this work, Joana Vasconselos pays homage to the historical figure Catherine de Braganza (1638-1705). Born in Portugal and Queen of England and Scotland, Catherine de Braganza was the originator of the traditional 5 p.m. tea in the UK.

Born in 1971 in Paris, France. Lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal. Joana Vasconcelos draws on traditional Portuguese culture to compose a visual poetry in which her roots marry the modernity of pop culture. She plays plastically with everyday objects, blurring the boundaries between craft and industry, tradition and modernity, popular and learned culture. Her work takes the form of sculptures and installations, often addressing feminist issues.