'Savage Indignation' 2004

A solo exhibition of narrative ceramics at Contemporary Applied Arts, London, 17 September to 30 October 2004.
This body of work reflects upon the political uncertainties of our times, and invites the questioning of current policies of Western governments, and our assumptions of a moral and cultural superiority.
Events surrounding the recent war on Iraq are central to this work, reflected in the numerous biblical, classical and historical references to religious conflict, incarceration, torture and execution.
The slab-built forms of the large pieces are derived from vessels associated with the petroleum industry - oil-drums, petrol cans etc.- this in-built metaphor underlining the Western obsession with (and dependence upon) Middle Eastern oil.

'The appropriation of instantly recognisable images from the Renaissance or from ancient Greece and Rome immediately proclaims Dixon's serious, high-minded approach.
The uncontrollable monster Frankenstein may appear a more pertinent symbol for our times than the unattainable ideal of a Greek Venus. The shadow-hand diagrams of the mule and the elephant, emblems of the main U.S. political parties, seen on the plate 'Babylon' are a chilling reminder how something completely insubstantial, innocently playful to look at, can represent a literally world-shattering power.'
Timothy Wilcox, from the exhibition guide, 2004.

'Babylon' detail. 2003

'Chimera' teapot. 2004

'Babylon' vessel 2003

'The Sphinx' teapot. 2004.