Artist's Statement

I feel overwhelmed by the beauty, scale and the miraculous intricacies of Nature. Experiencing rural or remote landscapes and seascapes, I am fascinated by momentary glimpses, indexical traces, entropy processes and archaeological references, communicating man’s presence and time. The latter and the cycles, rhythms and routines of life lead me to manipulate clay, earth’s primary material, with celebratory essence to relate a personal dialogue with my environment.

Current Work

 Limited edition series of sculptural forms and vessels. Stretched, stained, grogged stoneware with multiple glazes. Gas reduction fired and some electric kiln fired 1270 degrees.

Current Work Availability: 
 Ceramic work exhibited in galleries and retail outlets - Contact Jane for availability of work in New Zealand. 

Technical Information

Some of my  ceramic work is fired Gas reduction 1270 degrees. Influenced by the Japanese Bizen firing technique, I incorporate salt soaked straw, oxides, seaweed and pack the kiln using shells as buffers between the pieces.

Background History

Work Experience:
2006- present. Practising Ceramic Artist. I make both unique and limited edition ceramic pieces at my home based studio in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand. I market and sell my individual ceramic pieces through galleries, local retail outlets and craft fairs. I have performed workshops and also undertaken private commission work.
1998-2003    Home-based studio    Creating individual ceramic pieces    Part-time

2009 - Moved to New Zealand
                    
Education:
2003 - 2006    University of Ulster, Belfast, N.I. B.A. Hons Fine and Applied Art. 1st Class    
2001-2003      NDAI Bangor, N.I Art Foundation Diploma. Distinction.
1998-2001      NDAI, Bangor.N.I C& G Ceramics, Level One and Two. Distinction.
1983-1985      Regent House Grammar School, Newtownards, N.I. A/Level education.
1983               Glastry High School, Ballyhalbert, N.I. O/Level education.

Awards:
 Merit award in Canterbury Potters Annual exhibition held in Christchurch, New Zealand 

Exhibition History

2010 - Selected for 51st Annual Ceramics National Exhibition, New Zealand
“Water Course and Land Lines”2nd –31st May 08 Joint exhibition with Alice Clarke. Space CRAFT, Belfast, N Ireland
 “Rhythmic Cosmos”4th-25th April 08 Joint exhibition with Lucy McKenna. Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon, Co Clare, Ireland
Artzyard Gallery,6th Dec- 21st Jan 08 Group Winter Exhibition, Portaferry, Co Down NI
10th Annual Exhibition, 6th Dec-26th Jan 08 County Down Crafts, Space CRAFT NI
Exploris Exhibition, Portaferry Art Society, Group Show, 1st – 30th Nov 07, Portaferry, NI
“The Creative Peninsula” Group show 3rd-28th Sept 2007 Waterfront Hall, Belfast, N.I.
“The Creative Peninsula” Group show 10th-20th Aug 2007 Maxwell Courtyard, Kircubbin. N.I.
“The Creative Peninsula” 3rd Aug-12th Aug 2007 Open Studio event, Greyabbey, N.I.
“The Creative Peninsula”Group show 30thJuly-23rdAug2007 Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards N.I.
“Art in the Loft 2007-Rhythmic Traces”, 20th July-19th Aug 2007. Solo exhibition. The Loft Gallery, Portaferry, Co.Down, N.I.
Garden Show Ireland, 8th-10th June 2007 Hillsborough Castle, Co.Down. N.I.
Ballymorran Cottages, Group Show. 18th & 19th May 2007 Killinchy, Co. Down. NI
“The Spring Exhibition” 13th Mar-3rd April 07 Battletown Gallery. Newtownards Co.Down. NI
“Setting Out” 23rd Jan - 3rd Feb 2007 Contemporary Ceramics Gallery, CPA, London.
The Yard Gallery, Jan/Feb 2007 Hollywood. Co. Down. NI
Exploris, Group show, Nov 2006 Portaferry, Co. Down. NI
“The After Show”, July 2006 Craft NI. Belfast. NI
“Unearthed”, June 06. Degree show. University of Ulster, Belfast. NI

Collections and Commissions

Collections:
University of Ulster
Private collections in UK, France, China and New Zealand

Commissions:
Strangford College (1998 & 1999)
Private individuals  (1999 – present)

Publications

Newtownards Spectator Thursday 17th April 08. Front page image of Sand Mandala workshop with primary school children on the shores of Strangford Lough.
BBC Radio Ulster Your Place and Mine 8-9am 19th April 08 BBC website podcast. Interview by Caroline Nolan
The Clare People Tuesday 11 April 08
Ceramics Ireland Issue 1, 2007. pg 18-19 University of Ulster, Belfast “Unearthed” Review by Twy Miller
Ceramic Review Issue 223 Jan/Feb 2007 pg 40
County Down Crafts Bulletin Issue 95 Aug 07 pg 3 Rhythmic Traces – Review by Felicity Straker Graham