A Series of antiquity 3

P.Wharton.

A Series of antiquity. Sparks of a classical aesthetic 3

Unique beauty

Pebble: 小石

As a child, I was captivated by found objects. From scouring railway embankments and unearthing old bottles at a Victorian landfill to hunting for fossils, stones, and peculiar rocks, I was fascinated by the marks of time etched into these treasures. I revered them for their weathered, timeless essence—something very much at the core of my nature.

From what I’m told, this perspective resonates deeply with the philosophies behind Gongshi (Chinese scholar's rocks) and Japanese Suiseki. Both traditions celebrate the natural marks of time—erosion, texture, and form—as embodiments of history and beauty, mirroring my own reverence for these decayed treasures.

_{Gongshi (供石), or scholar's rocks, is a Chinese art form from the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) involving the collection and appreciation of naturally formed
stones. Valued for their unique shapes, textures, colors, and patterns, these unaltered stones, found in rivers, mountains, or caves, often resemble landscapes or abstract forms and are cherished for
their aesthetic and spiritual qualities.}

_{Wabi sabi}

_{In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi (侘寂) is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described
as one of appreciating beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete" in nature.}

_{Medium/Portland cement/little pebble}

_{Approximately/W14.5/H10cm/D14.5}

Bread And Butter Heroes / Martha

_{Working clay model of Martha}

Often I’ve heard it said that "Eaten bread is soon forgotten". So here is Bread And Butter Heroes /Martha to keep us all mindful of all those to whom we owe so much.

During my 7 days Covid isolation (2020), neighbours were being very neighbourly and I got to reflecting on my childhood. My mother had fallen on hard times and this little old lady called Martha took my mother, myself and my sister under her wing. Back then we lived in a cold, damp highrised flat in Bolton, with hardly any furniture. No electricity. A busted front door with no lock on it. And the only light was that of the gas stove where we gathered for heat, toast with dripping. Martha used to bring us damaged fruit and biscuits from the market that the stall owners were discarding at the end of the day. Martha had very little, and without hesitation she shared it.

I’m gifted in as much as I’ve been party to many kind deeds throughout my life. And I like to believe they live on through me as I pass along those kind deeds. This is a tribute to all our kind deeds. All our Bread And Butter Heroes. Our daily bread. The people at grass roots 24/7 keeping us from going under. You know who you are!

Thank you!