"Vessel" - Bow Festival 2003 Artists Neil Irons
& Bow North Youth Club

"Vessel" was a temporary site specific artwork in the form of a large ceramic boat filled with smaller ceramic boats - made in-situ for the Bow festival 2003.

"Vessel" took shape throughout the period of the festival at Old Ford Lock. Youths from Bow North Youth club assisted in producing the temporary site-specific artwork in the form of a large ceramic boat, filled with smaller vessels. The artwork was constructed on site from clay used to repair the River Lea and canal network. After drying out the artwork was fired in-situ using locally sourced materials in a purpose built kiln.

Vessel relates directly to the historical back- ground of Bow and the archaeological finds from the area. In particular ir it takes it form from the dug-out canoe found in the river Lea which is in Hackney Museum and is inspired by the viking connections with the river.

More on the festival at - www.spacestudios.org.uk/bowfestival/index.html