Artist's Statement

I love to explore the rhythm and movement of throwing clay on a wheel, excited by the freshness and spontaneity of the results. My personal intuitive touch is an integral part of my pots. This is evident by a wet hand on a soft form fresh off the wheel, through to an individual hand or fingerprint emphasised by the glaze. However, hand building features more predominantly than in the past, allowing for experiment and continuing exploration of form. Since working as assistant to Robin Welch and  my residency at Rufford Craft Centre, I see an increased directness, urgency and confidence in the physical manipulation of the clay. My work is inspired by the landscape of Australia and local Derbyshire. I use stoneware clay, along with a variety of slips and glazes.

Current Work

Work generally available from:
Harley Gallery, Welbeck, Nottinghamshire
Gallery at Bevere, Worcester
Bircham Gallery, Holt, Norfolk
Lund Gallery, Alne, Yorkshire
Gallerytopp, Rowsley, Derbyshire
Oakwoodceramics.co.uk
Other Information:
I also work freelance on various community projects from time to time that include work on the national Sustrans cycle network, the local museum, and arts organisations.
In addition to my ceramic work, I have received commissions from a marketing consultancy for their corporate office paintings.

Technical Information

I use stoneware clay, vanadium pentoxide slip, and barium carbonate glaze. They are fired in an electric kiln to 1220°C.

History

PGCE Adult & FE

December 07 - Visiting lecturer, Nottingham Trent University
September 07 - present  Sessional ceramic tutor at Rufford Craft Centre
September 07 – present  Sessional ceramic tutor at West Notts College, Mansfield
July – September 07 - Artist in residence at Rufford Craft Centre
September – November 06 - Assistant to ceramist, Robin Welch, Suffolk
March 06 - Visiting lecturer at Avondale College, Cooranbong, and University of Canberra, Australia
September 04 – April 06    Arts Strategy & Development Officer, Gedling Borough, Council, Arnold, Nottingham
May 00 – September 04 - Project & Community Development Officer (P/T), Rufford Craft Centre
December 99 – July 04    Sessional ceramics tutor, West Notts College, Mansfield
May 2000 - Project & Community Development Officer, Rufford Craft Centre
April - July 2000 - Press & Publicity Officer, Harley Gallery, Welbeck
January - July 2000 - Ceramic workshops tutor, Rufford Ceramic Centre, Notts
December 1999 - Part-time lecturer, West Notts College of FE, Mansfield
1996 - 1999 - Loughborough University School of Art & Design, BA Hons in 3D Design - Ceramics (Upper 2nd.)
1995-1996 - West Notts College of Further Education Mansfield, BTEC Diploma in Art & Design (Distinction)
1980-1984 - Coventry Polytechnic, BA Hons. in Modern Languages
1973-1980 - Brunts School, Mansfield, 3 'A' levels, 9 'O' levels

Selected Exhibitions

August 2008 - Art In Clay, Hatfield, Herts
June 2008 - Earth & Fire, Rufford Country Park
May 2008 - Swalmen ceramic market, Limburg, Holland
April 2008 - Ceramics in the Round, Buxton
January 2008 - NPA exhibition, Platform Gallery, Clitheroe
December 2007 - Rufford Presents, Rufford Craft Centre
November 2007 - The Power of Pots, Royal College of Art, London
October 2007 - Totally Teabowls, Oakwood Gallery
Jul-Sept 2007 - Residency at Rufford Country Park
August 2007 - Art In Clay, Hatfield, Herts
June 2007 - Earth & Fire, Rufford Country Park
May 2007 - Harlequin Gallery, London, with Marcus O’Mahoney
September 2006 - Assistant to Robin Welch
August 2006 - Art In Clay, Hatfield, Herts
June 2006 - Earth & Fire, Rufford Country Park
August 2005 - Art In Clay, Hatfield, Herts
August 2004 - Slipware, Rufford Country Park
July 2004 - Harlequin Gallery, London, with Ursula Mommens
March 04 - Teabowls, Oakwood GalleryNovember/December 2003 - Nottingham Open Art Exhibition.
November 2003 - Jan 2004 - City Gallery Open, Leicester.
September 2003 - Unsung, Melbourne.
August 2003 - Art In Clay, Hatfield
June 2003 - Earth & Fire, Rufford
October 2002 - Oxford Studio Ceramics, Oxford.
August 2002 - Art in Clay, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire.
June 2002 - Earth & Fire, Rufford Country Park, Nottinghamshire.
September 2001 - Sky Mirror Open Day, Nottingham Playhouse Theatre.
August 2001 - Art in Clay, Hatfield House, Hatfield, Herts.
December 2000 - Northern Potters 2000, The Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston.
November 2000 - The Art Market, Harley Gallery, Welbeck, Notts.
November 2000 - Southern Pottery & Ceramics Show, Farnham, Surrey.
November 2000 - Contemporary Craft Makers' Market, Djanogly Arts Centre, Nottingham.
September 2000 - 'Breaking New Ground', Laburnum Ceramics Gallery, Penrith.
August 2000 - Art in Clay, Hatfield House, Hatfield, Herts.
June 2000 - Earth & Fire VI Ceramic Fair, Rufford Country Park, Notts.
May 2000 - Made at Wysing, Wysing Arts Centre, Bourne, Cambridgeshire.
January 2000 - 'Setting Out', Contemporary Ceramics Gallery, London.
November 1999 - Contemporary Craft Makers' Market, Djanogly Arts Centre, Nottingham.
July 1999 - New Designers exhibition, Business Design Centre, London.

Membership

2008 Design Factory member
2008 North Potters Association committee member
2007 Arts Council Grants For the Arts Award
2004 Arts Council Grants For the Arts Award
2004 PGCE Adult & FE Teacher’s Certificate
2003 East Midlands Arts Board Mentoring Scheme
2001 City & Guilds 7307 Stage 1 Further and Adult Teacher’s Certificate
2001 Professional member of the CPA

Websites & Publications

Nottinghamshire Living, November 2007, p.58-59
The Ceramics Book, Emmanuel Cooper, p. 282
‘The Complete Potter’, Steve Mattison, p.95 (Rachel Ferguson)

Ceramic Review, No 228, Robin Welch review, p.24
Ceramic Review, No 219, Gallery, p. 16
Ceramic Review, No 210, Slipware review, p.56
Ceramic Review, No 202, Gallery
Ceramic Review, No 184, Gallery, p.15
Ceramic Review, No 182, Ways with Anagama, p.53
Ceramic Review, No 179, supplement, p.7

www.oakwoodceramics.co.uk/Potters_Rachel-Wood.htm
www.ruffordcraftcentre.org/ceramic/artists/index.htm
www.ruffordcraftcentre.org.uk/ceramic/history/eassyview.asp?select=39
www.studio-pots.com/RachelWood.htm
www.studio-pots.com/RachelWood.htm/PreviousExhibitions.htm