Sculptural work
Memories
Recently I have been exploring a new body of work through a series of hand built wall pieces. These pieces combine three-dimensional form, with a decorative surface, utilising both colour and decals. The forms are like stones found on the beach softened by the weather, their following lines, dips and hollows lift of the wall, creating shadows. The patterns are inspired by old stitched textiles, which hold the memories of their previous owners, as a stone can hold a memory of a place or time.
Bricks in the Rain
This series of forms were created for 'Bricks in the Rain' a response exhibition to a residency at the FuLe International Ceramic Art Museums, Fuping, China. During the residency I explored the repitition of form, there forms further explore this idea.The forms can viewed from several different perspectives, as they have no specific base. Some of the work in China was finished with calligraphy ink and this along with form has followed through to this phase of the project with a group of black forms.
Residency at FuLe International Ceramic Art Museums
What an adventure! I had the chance to spend five weeks in China making work. It was nearly too good to be true. What an opportunity, spending this amount of time in the studio with 12 ceramic artists from Ireland. It will never be repeated and could never have happened at home, with work and family commitments. It was a very rewarding experience as we shared the journey with the highs and lows of working and traveling
transFORM
The forms are subtle and sensuous and encourage exploration from all angles. Constructed with coils and slabs they are refined through a paring back of layers creating undulating tactile forms that utilise the natural colour of the clay. The experience of the forms can be enhanced through changing the orientation of the piece for example turning the pieces upside down or on their side introducing a new perspective. Interaction with the form is important, inspiring the viewer to touch and feel the flow of the surface.