Firing Up with the Crafts Council
Since November I have been involved with the Crafts Council's Firing Up scheme leading teacher training sessions at Bath Spa University.
5 schools from the Bath and Bristol area are taking part in reinvigorating their ceramics facilities and education. The second year of a 3 year project it will hopefully stimulate greater engagement with clay and put to rest common health and safety worries. The teachers have been enjoying the rare chance for themselves to create; particularly enjoyable after a long days teaching.
The launch day will be early January when I'll then be going out into the schools working with the students to complete a set project. Looking forward to it!
Since November I have been involved with the Crafts Council's Firing Up scheme leading teacher training sessions at Bath Spa University.
5 schools from the Bath and Bristol area are taking part in reinvigorating their ceramics facilities and education. The second year of a 3 year project it will hopefully stimulate greater engagement with clay and put to rest common health and safety worries. The teachers have been enjoying the rare chance for themselves to create; particularly enjoyable after a long days teaching.
The launch day will be early January when I'll then be going out into the schools working with the students to complete a set project. Looking forward to it!
The Thames Festival's Feast on the Bridge 10th Sept 2011
Edible hats are back and this year joined by fishy themed headgear in celebration on this year's theme of sustainable fishing. People will be able to fish for compliments/condiments, don a kipper tie and tuck in to some roaming salad. It's getting busier than ever!
Edible hats are back and this year joined by fishy themed headgear in celebration on this year's theme of sustainable fishing. People will be able to fish for compliments/condiments, don a kipper tie and tuck in to some roaming salad. It's getting busier than ever!
Imagined Machines at Oriel Davies 17th Sept- 16th Nov 2011
Some work of mine will be exhibited in the exhibition Imagined Machines in the TestBed space at Oriel Davies, Newtown, Wales. This is in association with Paul Granjon's Oriel Factory displaying fantastic new robotic installations in the main gallery; opening 10th September.
See a video of his work here
Some work of mine will be exhibited in the exhibition Imagined Machines in the TestBed space at Oriel Davies, Newtown, Wales. This is in association with Paul Granjon's Oriel Factory displaying fantastic new robotic installations in the main gallery; opening 10th September.
See a video of his work here
Easton Arts Trail 18-19th June
As part of the arts trail I will be showing some pieces at 23 Chelsea Rd, joining in with what Bristol does best.
Fingers crossed for good weather!
Link for Easton Arts Trail
As part of the arts trail I will be showing some pieces at 23 Chelsea Rd, joining in with what Bristol does best.
Fingers crossed for good weather!
Link for Easton Arts Trail
Beyond the Plinth, at the Walcot Chapel 9-15th May
Lying on the fringe of the Bath Arts Fringe Festival, this is a 'live' project and leap of faith. Celebrating the possibilities of materials and the unknown influence of 10 artists, friends and passersby, we will be responding to the historically resonant space and timespan of 7 days.
A conversation between our own different practices, there will be an emphasis on experimenting with new ways of making. Embracing the unexpected, we will present this creative process as the work.
Encompassing clay, textiles, food, wire, plastic, paper, wood and nearly everything else we will be creating a dynamic interactive space to stimulate anyone who enters. Raku ranting, recipes revisited, 3D drawing and more will be some of the activities taking place.
Project members: Angie Bell, Damaris Booth, Zoë Cameron, Sara Evans, Gary Ryan, Alice Shields, Emma Strange, Karen Thompson, Corrina Thornton, Sally Winder.
Visitors welcome 10-6pm. Top of Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5UG.
Follow us on our blog Beyond the Plinth.
Lying on the fringe of the Bath Arts Fringe Festival, this is a 'live' project and leap of faith. Celebrating the possibilities of materials and the unknown influence of 10 artists, friends and passersby, we will be responding to the historically resonant space and timespan of 7 days.
A conversation between our own different practices, there will be an emphasis on experimenting with new ways of making. Embracing the unexpected, we will present this creative process as the work.
Encompassing clay, textiles, food, wire, plastic, paper, wood and nearly everything else we will be creating a dynamic interactive space to stimulate anyone who enters. Raku ranting, recipes revisited, 3D drawing and more will be some of the activities taking place.
Project members: Angie Bell, Damaris Booth, Zoë Cameron, Sara Evans, Gary Ryan, Alice Shields, Emma Strange, Karen Thompson, Corrina Thornton, Sally Winder.
Visitors welcome 10-6pm. Top of Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5UG.
Follow us on our blog Beyond the Plinth.
Easton Project covered by BBC's Head of Outreach
Our project has been covered in Alec McGivan's blog. Please read here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/abo
Our project has been covered in Alec McGivan's blog. Please read here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/abo
Gallery in the Victorian Cloakroom, 5th - 20th March
Corner of Park Row and Woodland Row, Bristol.
Open Saturdays 11-5pm and Sundays 12-4pm
Website: Gallery in the Victorian Cloakroom
As part of a group show, I am showing work in a disused Victorian toilets where most of the original fittings are still in place; encompassing marble, porcelain, wrought iron and mahogany.
The theme being 'In Progress', my work is a personal response to the space using ongoing research into materials. The toilets themselves had such a strong presence, I was keen to make only small interventions in the space to encourage the act of looking, and work as enigmatic starting points for reflection.
I was struck by the contrast between the era of building and now. Built as a contemporary temple to water, the toilets seem to represent an era where religion was being replaced with an emphasis on technology, with the biblical connotations of the toilets' name, "The Deluge". The physical presence of the cisterns ranged up high around the room was contrasted by the present lack of any water within; becoming to me a metaphor for all that has changed in belief and attitude.
To symbolise this sense of presence and absence I tried to imagine a religious idol with the body departed; a pile of robes. In my research I became interested by the symbolic upward pointing hand of a wooden Angel of the Annunciation, made in 1350. Signifying speech and God, this also became significant to me as I considered the other connections with Victorian "this way' signs and the simple device to lead the eye up to original attractions of the toilets; the cisterns.
Ranging from leaves balanced around the sinks to printed porcelain flakes camouflaged amongst the peeling paint including a Daily Mail crest, to a small empty box of matches tucked high supporting a porcelain match, my interventions aim to lead the eye around the space.
Other artists involved include photographers, sculptors, musicians, performance art and painters.
Local press review...http://www.venue.co.uk/art-fea
Corner of Park Row and Woodland Row, Bristol.
Open Saturdays 11-5pm and Sundays 12-4pm
Website: Gallery in the Victorian Cloakroom
As part of a group show, I am showing work in a disused Victorian toilets where most of the original fittings are still in place; encompassing marble, porcelain, wrought iron and mahogany.
The theme being 'In Progress', my work is a personal response to the space using ongoing research into materials. The toilets themselves had such a strong presence, I was keen to make only small interventions in the space to encourage the act of looking, and work as enigmatic starting points for reflection.
I was struck by the contrast between the era of building and now. Built as a contemporary temple to water, the toilets seem to represent an era where religion was being replaced with an emphasis on technology, with the biblical connotations of the toilets' name, "The Deluge". The physical presence of the cisterns ranged up high around the room was contrasted by the present lack of any water within; becoming to me a metaphor for all that has changed in belief and attitude.
To symbolise this sense of presence and absence I tried to imagine a religious idol with the body departed; a pile of robes. In my research I became interested by the symbolic upward pointing hand of a wooden Angel of the Annunciation, made in 1350. Signifying speech and God, this also became significant to me as I considered the other connections with Victorian "this way' signs and the simple device to lead the eye up to original attractions of the toilets; the cisterns.
Ranging from leaves balanced around the sinks to printed porcelain flakes camouflaged amongst the peeling paint including a Daily Mail crest, to a small empty box of matches tucked high supporting a porcelain match, my interventions aim to lead the eye around the space.
Other artists involved include photographers, sculptors, musicians, performance art and painters.
Local press review...http://www.venue.co.uk/art-fea
InBristol Studios "Made by Hand" Exhibition 22nd- 28th Feb 2011
Members of my studio in Barton Hill are taking over an empty shop on Park St, Bristol. It will showcase a range of media and crafts, and there will be a demonstration area where wood-carving, upholstery and other skills will be presented.
If you look carefully you may find me performing how to do some lesser-known crafts such as embroidering bread, how to iron clay, and the stitching of a tangerine glove. Please pop in to say hello.
Members of my studio in Barton Hill are taking over an empty shop on Park St, Bristol. It will showcase a range of media and crafts, and there will be a demonstration area where wood-carving, upholstery and other skills will be presented.
If you look carefully you may find me performing how to do some lesser-known crafts such as embroidering bread, how to iron clay, and the stitching of a tangerine glove. Please pop in to say hello.
BBC Outreach Project in Easton, Bristol
I will be one of 7 artists helping to translate stories of Easton, told by local elders, into art pieces by local City Academy schoolchildren. We will be meeting weekly from February to April 2011, to result in an exhibition at the local Easton community centre.
The children have English as a second language and are part of a DICE project to aid integration and communication skills. They come from a diverse range of countries, from Gambia, Somalia to Romania. The elders are members of the Stapleton Rd Baptist Church and themselves have an interesting range of backgrounds.
It is exciting to be part of such an ambitious local project to help break down generational and cultural divides and encourage a sense of connection with their local area.
Everyone involved has been incredibly patient and generous with their time and so far it has been rewarding for all involved. Some fascinating stories are coming out and the elders are incredible with their powers of recollection!
I feel like my various experiences as TEFL teacher, archaeologist and artist can really be of use!
I will be one of 7 artists helping to translate stories of Easton, told by local elders, into art pieces by local City Academy schoolchildren. We will be meeting weekly from February to April 2011, to result in an exhibition at the local Easton community centre.
The children have English as a second language and are part of a DICE project to aid integration and communication skills. They come from a diverse range of countries, from Gambia, Somalia to Romania. The elders are members of the Stapleton Rd Baptist Church and themselves have an interesting range of backgrounds.
It is exciting to be part of such an ambitious local project to help break down generational and cultural divides and encourage a sense of connection with their local area.
Everyone involved has been incredibly patient and generous with their time and so far it has been rewarding for all involved. Some fascinating stories are coming out and the elders are incredible with their powers of recollection!
I feel like my various experiences as TEFL teacher, archaeologist and artist can really be of use!
October 2010 Now a part-time ceramics tutor on Bath Spa University's Creative Arts course
In an exciting development I will be teaching hand-building and throwing options at Bath Spa in this coming academic year. I will be teaching alongside Claire Loder, who's work has been getting widespread press recently. Fantastic!
A variety of excercises have been planned to stimulate students' development and am very much looking forward to getting to know them ...and seeing what they produce.
In an exciting development I will be teaching hand-building and throwing options at Bath Spa in this coming academic year. I will be teaching alongside Claire Loder, who's work has been getting widespread press recently. Fantastic!
A variety of excercises have been planned to stimulate students' development and am very much looking forward to getting to know them ...and seeing what they produce.
Saturday 11th September 2010: "Feast on the Bridge|" - The Mobile Garden returns.
After a very successful event last year, with thanks to Damaris Booth and the great British public... the curator of art at the Mayor of London's Thames Festival has invited us back. We will again be creating a moving garden of salad hats on Southwark Bridge, Saturday 11th September 2010, enabling citizens to feed fellow diners.
It is a free interactive public event and should be a fantastically different day out in the heart of London...where else do you get to see chives swaying through a festival crowd and talk to strangers under basil? So come along, volunteer your heads and see which herb suits you...
After a very successful event last year, with thanks to Damaris Booth and the great British public... the curator of art at the Mayor of London's Thames Festival has invited us back. We will again be creating a moving garden of salad hats on Southwark Bridge, Saturday 11th September 2010, enabling citizens to feed fellow diners.
It is a free interactive public event and should be a fantastically different day out in the heart of London...where else do you get to see chives swaying through a festival crowd and talk to strangers under basil? So come along, volunteer your heads and see which herb suits you...
24/25th April 2010 Montpelier Arts Trail: Exhibition at Hamilton House, Bristol
I will be showing a selection of work and surrealist utensils as part of the Montpelier Arts Trail. This is a great event with many houses around the area open to the public and displaying their hidden talent! Come on down...
I will be showing a selection of work and surrealist utensils as part of the Montpelier Arts Trail. This is a great event with many houses around the area open to the public and displaying their hidden talent! Come on down...
*New Studio! Now resident at the thriving community of InBristol Studios
Having moved to Bristol and scouted around the local studio spaces I am now happily based in Barton Hill with access to great communal facilities and workshops. There are
a whole variety of different artists and craftspeople there so I am looking forward to seeing what will result.
New work coming soon...
Having moved to Bristol and scouted around the local studio spaces I am now happily based in Barton Hill with access to great communal facilities and workshops. There are
a whole variety of different artists and craftspeople there so I am looking forward to seeing what will result.
New work coming soon...
December 2009: Back from Madagascar!
Having just spent 2 months in Madagascar to attend and do the decorations for my sister's 2 huge wedding events of 250/300 people each it's back to reality. I met some incredible people, visited many of her charity Feedback Madagascar's projects, and even managed to do a firing with a local ceramic artist; having made some small pieces and learnt the traditional technique to make a zebu.
There is plenty of potential for running training projects in utilising the local clay to give people another much-needed source of income. A plan for the future...
OrDinary Space presents Pangolin 3rd-20th August 2009
A changing installation showcasing works Cyst, Blanket, Lungs and Species.
Commemorating the end of a year in Cardiff this exhibition addresses issues of survival, uncertainty and what comes next.
Venue: OrDinary Space, window/26 Llandaff Rd, Canton, Cardiff CF11 9NJ.
Preview 3rd August 2009: curtains to be raised at 7pm with pavement drinks.
Coming soon...Exhibition in Cardiff. WATCH THIS SPACE
Preparations are underway for displaying my new body of work to mark the finishing of my graduate residency at Fireworks Clay Studios. The time is running out but I'm excited by this new exhibition venue...details to be finalised soon.
A changing installation showcasing works Cyst, Blanket, Lungs and Species.
Commemorating the end of a year in Cardiff this exhibition addresses issues of survival, uncertainty and what comes next.
Venue: OrDinary Space, window/26 Llandaff Rd, Canton, Cardiff CF11 9NJ.
Preview 3rd August 2009: curtains to be raised at 7pm with pavement drinks.
Coming soon...Exhibition in Cardiff. WATCH THIS SPACE
Preparations are underway for displaying my new body of work to mark the finishing of my graduate residency at Fireworks Clay Studios. The time is running out but I'm excited by this new exhibition venue...details to be finalised soon.
Artist-in-Residence at St Peter's High School, Gloucester
Over the 1st and 2nd July I was artist-in-residence at the school, working with a cross-section of 15 students an hour over the 2 days. The theme chosen was a 'Sensory Garden' with an emphasis on the surreal...It was a great experience!
The students seemed to love working with the clay and produced some fantastic imaginative sculptures in a very limited amount of time, many of which will be displayed on bamboo poles in the garden. We were working under a relaxing marquee in the blazing sun, erected for the job by the enterprising teacher who'd initiated the programme, Carmen.
My thanks to her, Damaris and Corrina who all helped to make it such a success.
Logo designs for Malagasy womens weaving co-operative Soamiray
I was asked to put forward some designs for the weaving co-operative and am now in the final phases of completion. Having initially been suggested to depict a woman with baby on back weaving, I proposed a variety of other logos and the women have chosen their favourite. This was an interleaved reeds design with a more environmental emphasis.
They will be using the logo to promote their woven baskets and other products mainly within Madagascar.
The co-operative is supported by Feedback Madagascar, a charity doing incredible work on limited resources on projects covering health, environment and education. Having seen many of the projects firsthand I know the importance of the women being able to support themselves from the endangered rainforest in a sustainable way.
EXHIBITION AT THE MUSEUM OF INTERNATIONAL CERAMIC ART
A group exhibition of the work produced in Guldagergaard is on show for a month in the beautiful historic house in Grimmerhus, Middelfart, Denmark, until mid April 2009.
I was very pleased to install my work in an eerie blue lit basement room. The tiles, pipes and strangely shaped plinths left over from a previous show lent it an austere other-worldly air; something between a chapel and a toilet. The character of the room became very dominant in my placing of objects and photos, and I tried to work with what was already hinted at.
The sound of water intermittently running through the pipes also made it an appropriate place to install the American artist Anna Buckthorpe's twisting porcelain boats, inspired by the ship models hanging in Danish churches.
A group exhibition of the work produced in Guldagergaard is on show for a month in the beautiful historic house in Grimmerhus, Middelfart, Denmark, until mid April 2009.
I was very pleased to install my work in an eerie blue lit basement room. The tiles, pipes and strangely shaped plinths left over from a previous show lent it an austere other-worldly air; something between a chapel and a toilet. The character of the room became very dominant in my placing of objects and photos, and I tried to work with what was already hinted at.
The sound of water intermittently running through the pipes also made it an appropriate place to install the American artist Anna Buckthorpe's twisting porcelain boats, inspired by the ship models hanging in Danish churches.
DENMARK!
On the 3rd January I'll be disappearing off to the International Ceramic Research Centre in Guldagergaard, Denmark.
It's a 6 week residency where I'll be living and working with many other international artists. The project will culminate in two exhibitions of our new work.
Who knows what will happen?!...
On the 3rd January I'll be disappearing off to the International Ceramic Research Centre in Guldagergaard, Denmark.
It's a 6 week residency where I'll be living and working with many other international artists. The project will culminate in two exhibitions of our new work.
Who knows what will happen?!...
TEETH CUPS CONTINUE TO CAUSE A STIR!
Having been featured in Orbis design magazine, internet design sites such as http://www.designboom.com/webl, and discussed in online forums in Japan, The Netherlands and Russia they seem to have touched a nerve...
Quotes such as "It'd make a good present for your mother-in-law" (Netherlands)
Having been featured in Orbis design magazine, internet design sites such as http://www.designboom.com/webl, and discussed in online forums in Japan, The Netherlands and Russia they seem to have touched a nerve...
Quotes such as "It'd make a good present for your mother-in-law" (Netherlands)
August: NOW RESIDENT IN FIREWORKS CLAY STUDIOS, CARDIFF!
For one year I will be based in Fireworks having gained one of the 2 graduate spaces available in this great ceramic studios. The move has gone well so far and I'll be posting images of my new work soon.
For one year I will be based in Fireworks having gained one of the 2 graduate spaces available in this great ceramic studios. The move has gone well so far and I'll be posting images of my new work soon.
ART IN CLAY FESTIVAL, Hatfield House 1st-3rd August 2008
will be exhibiting some work at the 14th National Pottery & Ceramics Festival as part of the Bath Spa University stand. 15 fellow graduates work will also be there and it should be a fun day out- fingers crossed for good weather!
For more information please visit the Art in Clay website at:
http://www.artinclay.co.uk
will be exhibiting some work at the 14th National Pottery & Ceramics Festival as part of the Bath Spa University stand. 15 fellow graduates work will also be there and it should be a fun day out- fingers crossed for good weather!
For more information please visit the Art in Clay website at:
http://www.artinclay.co.uk
NEW DESIGNERS SHOW 2nd - 6th June 2008
I will be exhibiting 2 pieces of work; Tent (Standby) and Breakfast at New Designers, Business Design Centre, Angel, along with 18 other ex Bath Spa ceramics students.
Entry is from 10am until 6pm and there will be thousands of other recent arts graduates displaying their work so come and have a look! Please check out their website:
http://www.newdesigners.com
I will be exhibiting 2 pieces of work; Tent (Standby) and Breakfast at New Designers, Business Design Centre, Angel, along with 18 other ex Bath Spa ceramics students.
Entry is from 10am until 6pm and there will be thousands of other recent arts graduates displaying their work so come and have a look! Please check out their website:
http://www.newdesigners.com
ALL FIRED UP!, Centrespace Gallery, Bristol 20-26th June 2008
I'll be taking part in a group exhibition show-casing the work of 12 new ceramic artists, freshly graduated from Bath Spa University.
All Fired Up!
I'll be taking part in a group exhibition show-casing the work of 12 new ceramic artists, freshly graduated from Bath Spa University.
All Fired Up!
