Artists Statement

My work is an exploration of colour and texture inspired, mainly, by the effects of light and ageing on architecture, artefacts and landscape. My technique of layering vitreous slip onto wheel-thrown vessels, vases and bowls provides a rugged texture, which contrasts with the satin-matt glaze inside. The pots are fired to stoneware temperature in an electric kiln, which gives me total control over the subtlety of the finished colours.

My approach is to combine artistic expression with traditional craft skills and an innovative decorating technique. Form and contrast were my initial concerns, with particular interest in the contradiction of fragile, yet protective, strength, for example that of shells and ancient helmets, together with aesthetic obsessions of chiaroscuro and visual drama. Travel in southern France and Italy, with the region's light, sun-baked colours, sense of mellow antiquity and faded splendour was the catalyst for experiments with colour and texture.

Forms are wheel-thrown and turned using ribs during the later stages of throwing to eliminate finger ridges and help to give a perfect profile. I use a high-quality coarse stoneware clay mixed with a smooth one. This gives strength to the thinly thrown walls and a key for the subsequent surface. Exterior colour is vitreous slip, applied by layering onto the damp piece after turning. I mix the slip from raw materials, obtaining subtle hues by mixing primary colour stains into them. These are then intermixed to give an infinite palette. Great care and concentration are needed during application as the ratio of dampness of slip to pot is crucial and, of course, these are constantly drying as work progresses.

The interior glaze is formulated to give a satin-matt surface, coloured with basic oxides, mixed and intermixed to harmonise with the exterior. It is applied after bisque firing, then fired to oxidised stoneware temperature 1200C. The high firing temperature renders the piece strong and waterproof - the surface and colours fully permanent and lightproof.

Current Work

Individual stoneware pots, distinctive for their painterly exploration of colour and texture, inspired mainly by the effects of light and aging on architecture. Her technique of layering vitreous slip onto finely thrown vessels and vases provides a rugged texture which contrasts with the satin-matt glaze insides.

Work generally available from:
Contemporary Ceramics - London W1
The Stour Gallery - Shipston on Stour , Oxon
The Flint Gallery, Blakeney, Norfolk
Porthminster Gallery, St. Ives, Cornwall

History

Professional Membership - Fellow, Craftsman Potters Association

Education:
1984 - 1987 B.A. (Hons) Ceramics - U.W.E. Bristol

Award
1995 South West Arts Project Award

Exhibitions

2012 (July - September) Porthminster Gallery - Westcotts Quay, St. Ives, Cornwall
2012 (January - February) Contemporary Ceramics Gallery, London - 'Funding The Future'
2011 (November - February 2012) The Stour Gallery - Shipston-on-Stour, Warks. joint ceramics
2011 Oxford Ceramics Fair - Oxford - October
2011 Porthminster Gallery - Atlantic Edge, St. Ives, Cornwall
2011 Contemporary Ceramics Gallery, London - April Showcase
2010 The Stour Gallery - Shipston-on-Stour, Warks. joint ceramics
2010 'The Ceramic Canvas' - Tiendschuur, Tegelen, The Netherlands
2010 'Ceramic Art London' -The Royal College of Art, London
2010 Porthminster Gallery, St. Ives, Cornwall - "New Beginnings"

2009 - Ceramic Art London, Royal College of Art
2009 - JaM eton : In the Window - at Eton
2009 - Leach Pottery : 'The Flower Show' at St Ives
2009 - Art in Clay 2009, Hatfield House
2009 - Keramisto, Milsbeek, The Netherlands

2008 - Keramisto - Milsbeek, The Netherlands
2008 - Angela Mellor Gallery, Ely, Cambs - Summer Exhibition
2008 - Porthminster Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall - "Refresh" - Spring Exhibition
2008 - Ceramic Art London - Royal College of Art, London
2008 - Gallery Top, Matlock, Derbyshire - 'Afresh'

2007 - Spiral Gallery - Settle, N. Yorkshire - Joint show
2007 - The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester - CPA at 50
2007 - The Gallery Upstairs, Torquil, Henley-in-Arden - Summer Exhibition

2006 - Pyramid Gallery – York – solo
2006 - The Chapel Row Gallery, Bath –‘Looking Back – Looking Forward’

2005 - Alpha House Gallery Sherborne, Dorset Summer Exhibition - group;
2005 - The Stour Gallery - Shipston-on-Stour - Summer Exhibition - Solo ceramics;
2005 - Spiral Gallery, Settle, N.Yorks. - group;
2005 - Inspires gallery, Oxford - joint

2004 - Alpha House Gallery, Sherborne, Dorset- Winter Exhibition;
2004 - Galerie Carlin, Paris. - Christmas Exhibition;
2004 - World's End Gallery London - Christmas Exhibition

2003 - Potato Town, Chipping Norton - Summer Exhibition;
2003 - Maltby Contemporary Art, Winchester - Solo;
2003 - The Gallery Upstairs, Henley -in-Arden - Christmas Exhibition

2002 - Wohnen und Kunst - Made in England - Hamburg;
2002 - Wohnen und Kunst - Made in England - Dusseldorf;
2002 - Galerie Carlin, Paris -Coupes et Bols- Joint;
2002 - Pyramid Gallery, York - Joint;
2002 - Antiques of the future 3 - The Old Bakehouse, Fishbourne
 

2001 - Antiques of the Future 2 - The Old Bakehouse, Fishbourne - Group;
2001 - Alpha House Gallery, Sherborne, Dorset -Winter Exhibition;
2001 - Painterly Pots - Brewery Arts, Cirencester and Black Swan Guild, Frome;
2001 - Lemon Street Gallery, Truro - solo ceramics;
2001 - Roger Billcliffe Fine Art, Glasgow - Solo;
2001 - Pyramid Gallery, York - Winter Collection; Eton Applied Arts, Berkshire - Christmas Exhibition

2000 - Medici Gallery, London - Solo;
2000 - Six Chapel Row, Bath - with David Inshaw Paintings Pyramid Gallery, York - Joint;
2000 - The Gallery Upstairs, Henley in Arden - Christmas Exhibition;
2000 - Alpha House Gallery, Sherborne, Dorset - Down To The Sea.

1999 - Classics VII - Kortrijk, Belgium - British Embassy Pavilion;
1999 - Celebration of The Vessel - Southwell Minster Millenium Exhibition;
1999 - Architectural Ceramics - Roger Billcliffe Fine Art, Glasgow;
1999 - Angel row Gallery, Nottingham - with Regina Heinz Wall Pieces;
1999 - The Gallery Upstairs, Henley in Arden - Spring Exhibition;
1999 - Crawford Arts Centre, St Andrews, Fife - with Hamish Fulton photographs;
1999 - Six Chapel Row, Bath - Solo ceramics, with John Hubbard Paintings;
1999 - A Retrospective Future - Craft Centre & Design Gallery, Leeds

1998 - Country Works, Montgomery -with Carol Farrow Paper;
1998 - Roger Billcliffe Fine Art, Glasgow;
1998 - Ikebana Show, Takashimaya, Osaka store - Japan;
1998 - Artmonsky Arts, St John's Wood, London - Solo;
1998 - Piece Hall Gallery - Halifax, Christmas Exhibition

1997 - Contemporary Ceramics, C.P.A. London - "In The Window";
1997 - Hugo Barclay, Brighton - Summer Exhibition;
1997 - Pyramid Gallery, York - Christmas Exhibition;
1997 - Cleveland Craft Centre, Middlesborough

1996 - Bettles Gallery, Ringwood, Hampshire;
1996 - Montpellier Gallery, Stratford on Avon;
1996 - Crafts in Avon- Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery

1995 - British-Israel Arts Foundation, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and London

1992 - Made in Shropshire', West Midlands Arts

1990 - The Fine Art of Surfacing, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey;
1990 - The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh - Summer Exhibition

1989 - Contemporary Ceramics, London "Small is Beautiful" Country Works - Montgomery - Solo Exhibition;
1989 - Hugo Barclay - Brighton - Summer Exhibition;
1989 - Castle Museum - Norwich.

Selected Events

Earth and Fire – Rufford - 2007
Delft Ceramica – Delft, Holland - 2007
Chelsea Crafts Fair – 1987,’88,’89,’94,’96,’97,’98.
Ceramics in the City –Geffrye Museum, London –2002,’03, ’04, ‘05
Art in Action – Oxford – demonstrator 1995,’96,’97
Artisan – Edinburgh 1997,’98.
Craft Potters Association. Christmas Fair 1996, Oxford - 2004, ’05, ’06

Publications

"The Ceramic Surface" - Matthias Ostermann (Pub. 2002 A & C Black).
"Ceramic Form" - Peter Lane (Pub. A & C Black 1998 Edition).
"Crafts Council Buyer's Guide to Studio Ceramics" (1999).
"Objekt" Magazine - Issue 15, 1999 - Netherlands.

Collections

Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery.
Leeds City Art Galleries

Many private collections in the U.K. and abroad