What inspires you
in your art?
Contrast
plays a massive part in my work at the moment. I think it always has been
important to me but I have only recently really started to develop these ideas
further. With my new pieces I have been constantly investigating the contrast
between different elements within each piece. From glazed to unglazed surfaces,
colourful slips against stark white clay, smooth surfaces next to rough
texture. That boundary where two elements meet fascinates me. I’m not sure why
I find it so satisfying!
What medium do you
work in?
I
work in ceramics. I hand build each piece out of white stoneware clay adding
texture by pressing objects into the clay surface or scratching the surface of
the clay with various tools. I decorate each piece by layering up coloured
slips, glazes, decals and gold lustre. Each piece is fired in the kiln 3 times
before it is ready to display. Ceramics is very versatile, making it a
fantastic medium to work in and achieve completely different effects which can
sit side by side in contrast with each other.
What are you
looking forward to at Make it Up North?
As a one of the organisers of Make it Up North I am really looking forward to the event as
a whole! I really hope that Make it Up North is successful and can then grow to
become a major art event in the North. I am really looking forward to seeing
our fantastic installation artists and how the Guildhall will be transformed
for the weekend!
What work are you
showing at the event?
I
will be showing some of my new work at Make it Up North, which I have been working
on for the last few months. I have had quite a tough year, with my mum passing
away from breast cancer last year at the age of 57 and this has made me really
re-assess all aspects of my life and to focus on exactly what I want to be
doing with my work. It’s good to take a step back every now and again anyway as
an artist and see the bigger picture, but a life changing event like this
forces you to do so. So I have gone fully self-employed to be able to focus on developing
my ceramics and organising The Art Market and Make it Up North events.
My
new work is much bigger and bolder than work I have shown before and is
definitely a step towards realizing what I want to achieve.
Have you any
exciting news to share?
I am
currently working on my new website showcasing my new work, with an online
gallery and shop. This will be launched within the next two weeks so keep an
eye out!
If you could sit
in a room with any artist….who would it be and what would you ask them?
Hmmm,
there are so many artists I would have loved to meet! I think that Picasso
would be number one on my list as his work inspired me from such an early age.
I would love to just sit quietly and watch him draw and paint! On a ceramist
front I have always loved Gordon Baldwins organic forms with gridwork patterns
and bold monochrome contrasts.
Name your favourite
quote/or philosophy to life?
“Imagination is the highest kite one can fly”
If money was no
object what piece of work would you create?
I
would love to build an entire house out of clay! Everything from the walls and
roof, down to the objects inside such as tables and chairs and mop buckets! I
have made a series of ceramic irons and spray bottles in the past, and I loved
the elevated sense of worth they were given when made in clay. Everyday objects
suddenly became cherished ornaments!
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