Lesley RisbyImage Gallery

Nature is the inspiration for my work, where I am attempting to demonstrate the vulnerability of living organisms and their susceptibility to environmental forces.  An essential aspect of the work is the relationship between the multiple forms which often combine to make up an individual piece.

Subjecting the work to the elemental firing process produces a partial fragmentation and apparent fragility of these skeletal pieces, whilst retaining the essential potency of their forms.

Abstract sculptural forms using porcelain and nichrome wire.

Currently work available: The Contemporary Ceramics Centre, 63 Great Russell St (November 2010)

The main materials are porcelain and nichrome wire; fibres of either fabric or paper are added to the slips or plastic porcelain, as required by the process.  The addition of oxides, stains and silicon carbide to the porcelain produces stark contrasts in colour and texture.  The work is mainly raw glazed and fired to cone 7 in an electric kiln.

1946                 Born London.
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-                Working from my studio in Harrow.

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

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.
2006                     “Step Even Closer”, London Gallery West.
2005                     “Step Closer”, London Gallery West.

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