Bidspirit auction | Charity Lot. Art Residency “Cape

Charity Lot. Art Residency “Cape Kungasny”. Candle Lantern. 2026. - Ceramic. Traditional Russian scald-fired ware (Obvar). Height: 15.5 cm. Diameter: 16.5 cm. Created within the educational programme of the Cape Kungasny Art Residency in Vladivostok, this ceramic candle lantern demonstrates the continued relevance of traditional ceramic technologies in contemporary artistic practice. In an age shaped by digital technologies, standardization, and mass production, traditional crafts provide a vital connection to historical memory, material knowledge, and the ethical foundations of craftsmanship. The residency, supported by the non-profit organization Blagoye Delo, offers a unique urban environment where participants can engage with historic methods of ceramic firing using open flame, wood, and gas kilns. The lantern was produced using Obvar, an ancient Russian ceramic technique known for more than five centuries and rooted in even earlier traditions. Following firing, the heated ceramic form is immersed in a specially prepared organic solution, producing distinctive patterns and tonal variations through the interaction of clay, fire, air, and natural materials. The process yields surfaces that are impossible to reproduce exactly, ensuring that every object remains unique. The aesthetic qualities of Obvar ceramics are defined by their matte texture, subtle colour transitions, natural drips, and organic speckled markings. Each firing records a singular moment in the encounter between material and environment, preserving traces of the creative process itself. An important aspect of the residency’s programme is its inclusive educational model, bringing together students of decorative and applied arts, young people, and children with disabilities. Through collaborative work with clay and fire, participants engage in a shared creative practice that encourages communication, mutual support, and cultural exchange. Combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary community engagement, this candle lantern embodies the historical depth, environmental sensitivity, and artistic vitality of the Obvar technique. It demonstrates how traditional technologies can successfully exist within a modern urban context, serving as a source of education, creativity, and social inclusion.