Lesley RisbyImage Gallery

In my work I am examining the essence of fragility and vulnerability. The skeletal nature of the forms represents the susceptibility of living organisms to environmental forces be they natural or man-made.

The main materials used are porcelain and nichrome wire (although in some new work I am experimenting with Egyptian paste); additions of oxides, stains and silicon carbide to the porcelain produce stark contrasts in texture and colour. The work is fired in an electric kiln to a final temperature of 1240 C.

The disparate qualities of the constituents produce a visual as well as a physical tension in the work. The firing process causes a partial fragmentation and apparent fragility of the pieces whilst retaining the essential potency of their forms.

1981 - 1984 Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapy, West London Institute of Higher Education.
1998 - 2000 City & Guilds Creative Studies Part One-Ceramics, Harrow College.
2000 - 2003 City & Guilds Creative Studies Part Two-Ceramics, Harrow College.
2003 - 2006 BA Ceramics with First Class Hons, University of Westminster.
2006 - date Working from my studio in Harrow.

Membership:
Professional member of The Craft Potters Association (UK)
London Potters

2014 Ceramic Art London, Royal College of Art, London
2013 Ceramics in the City, Geffrye Museum, London
2013 “Art in Clay”, Hatfield

2012 “Christmas Cracker” Byard Art, Cambridge
2012 Autumn show Red Barn Gallery, Melkinthorpe, Cumbria
2012 Byard Art Summer Exhibition, Cambridge
2012 “Art in Clay”, Hatfield
2012 “Roots an Rifts” Espacio Gallery, London
2012 “Evaluation of Space”, Rochester Art Gallery, Rochester, Kent.
2012 Ceramic Art London 2012, Royal College of Art, London.

2011 (Oct) Oxford Ceramics Fair, St Edwards School, Oxford.
2011 (Sept) Ceramics in the City, The Geffrye Museum.
2011 (Aug) Art in Clay Hatfield, Hatfield House.
2011 (Feb) Ceramic Art London, The Royal College of Art.

2010 (June) The Red Barn Gallery, Melkinthorpe, Cumbria
2010 (August) Art in Clay, Hatfield House.
2010 (August) London Potters, The Orangery, Holland Park.
2010 (Sept) Ceramics in the City, The Jeffrye Museum.
2010 (Oct) Oxford Ceramics Fair, St Edwards School, Oxford

2009 September Ceramics in the City, The Jeffrye Museum
2009 August Art in Clay, Hatfield House
2009 (April) London Potters Selected exhibition, The Ice House, Kensington
2009 (February) Ceramic Art London , Royal College of Art

2008 (November) Solo exhibition  - The Hepsibah gallery, Hammersmith
2008 (September) Ceramics in the City 2008  - The Jeffrye Museum
2008 (August) “Rendezvous”, Angela Mellor Gallery, Ely, Cambridgeshire.
2008 “Art in Clay”, Hatfield House.
2008 “Ceramic Art London 2008”, Royal College of Art, London.
2008 “New Beginnings”, SDC Gallery, London.

2007 “Celebrating Achievement”, City Hall, London.
2007 “Setting Out 2007”, Contemporary Ceramics, London.

2006; “Art of Earth Ceramics”, Tower 42, London.
2006 “Art in Clay”, Hatfield.
2006 “Earth and Fire”, Rufford.
2006 “New Designers”, Design Centre, London.
2006 Degree show, University of Westminster.

2004            City & Guilds Medal of Excellence.
2004            City & Guilds UK Award for the Creative Craftsperson of the year 2004.