In his current exhibition, Once Upon a Plate, Vic Manduca explores the possibilities of the ceramic plate as a medium of artistic expression. The artist talks to Joseph Agius about some of the narratives and the underlying concepts. JA: Plates are essentially pieces of crockery, designed to contain food. However, craftsmen, throughout the ages, have regarded them as a medium to be exploited and to be embellished with creative intricate designs, thus blurring the boundaries between art and craft. Have you divested your plates from their prosaic, lowly use or do you still envisage them to be used as they were originally intended, artwork notwithstanding? VM: I would be very happy if anyone used the plates for food as long as the food is of exceptional quality; the plates deserve no less, at least I think so. In truth, I do not recommend that they be used for food as the majority are not the traditional glazed plates but a mix of oil, acrylic, pens and anything I can get my hands on before they are varnished. I have no idea as to how that conglomeration would react to food, cutlery and the dishwasher but I’m not going to try and see. I won’t be held responsible for anyone who...