We are used to interpreting form by using the shadows around it. Here I am exploring the use of opposing areas of grey or white “shadow” on the form to deceive the eye and to surprise perception as you move around it.
Metals are used, within the structure of these vessel based sculptures, to deform and melt into the clay in the heat of the kiln. Layers of slip or metals and oxides are added, piercing the forms, which are fired up to three times.
Large porcelain Shadow Bowl, wandering 5 hole chevron, oxides, copper. Close up view 265 x 135 mm SOLD
Large Shadow Bowl, wandering 5 hole chevron, grey porcelain, oxides, copper. 265 x 135 mm SOLD
Large Shadow Bowl, 5 hole chevron, grey porcelain, oxides, copper. 265 x 135 mm (SOLD)
Large Shadow Bowl. 5 hole chevron/half & half. Grey porcelain, oxides, copper. 265 x 135 mm SOLD
Medium shadow bowl, 3 hole chevron, half & half. Light grey porcelain, oxides, copper. 220 x 100 mm
Medium Shadow Bowl, 3 hole chevron, half & half. Light grey porcelain, oxides, copper. 220 x 100 mm
Small grey Shadow Bowl, 3 hole chevron, porcelain, oxides and copper. 175 x 80 mm
Small shadow bowl, 3 hole chevrons, half and half. Grey porcelain, oxides, copper. 175 x 80 mm
A thinking drawing of early Shadow Bowls ideas 300 x 200 mm.
Shelter: a place of refuge or rest, a sanctuary.
These small sculptures refer to the way the desire for safety and security can instead result in isolation and entrapment.
They are constructed from blackthorn and porcelain.
Standing Sentinel, small white house on spiky blackthorn ‘legs’, watching. Porcelain, blackthorn, 450mm high
Drone view, small white porcelain house on spiky blackthorn ‘legs’, 450mm high
Detail: Standing Sentinel, a small white porcelain house on spiky blackthorn ‘legs’, watching. 450mm high
Small scale sculpture. Detail. 400 mm tall, porcelain, blackthorn, 400mm high. SOLD
Safe and sound - small scale sculpture, porcelain, blackthorn 400 mm high
Detail of Home, small scale sculpture, porcelain, blackthorn, 400mm high
A series of Drawings in Clay and Metal.
I mostly draw with materials - wire, paper graphite and clay are favourite - to explore ideas. These drawings are carried out in space, in three dimensions as I find this way of working to be the most expressive and exciting. Drawings are often of objects as ideas or metaphors, such as this Empty Vessel series.
Drawing of a jug in porcelain, iron wire.
The wire is fired into the clay and oxides added. 100 x 100 mm
Wire drawings of two empty vessels. Iron wire, 400 mm high
Drawing in porcelain and wire of a deep bowl with iron wire fired into porcelain. The wires have partly fragmented the form and yet hold it together. 100 x 100 mm
Iron wire drawing of a vessel, full of air, 400 mm high
Iron wire drawing of an empty vessel. 400 mm high
Iron wire drawing of an empty vessel. 200 x 200 mm
Mixed media drawing of a ruptured vessel, in porcelain and iron wire, bowl 250 x 250 mm, wires extend by 200 mm above the bowl.
Mixed media drawing of the demise of a vessel. porcelain, iron wire size is variable according to how far the wire is extended. max 400 x 200 mm
Mixed media drawing of an empty broken vessel. Porcelain and iron wire. 250 x 250 mm
Wire & card drawing for empty Vessel. corrugated card, aluminium wire. 300 mm tall
Wire and card drawing for empty vessels. Corrugated card, wire. 300 mm tall
The interactions between clay, slips and glazes can be a destructive force. 200 x 280 mm
Another view of Two Tone Vessel. The interactions between layers of slips and glazes are more visible. 200 x 280 mm
A close up of the surface of Two Tone Vessel. The interactions between clay, slips and glazes are destructive force. 200 x 280 mm
Pierced vessel. Porcelain, graphite, oxides, glaze. 200 x 200 mm
Pierced vessel. A different view. From the same batch of experimental ceramics. 200 mm
Pierced vessel. Porcelain, terracotta, glazes, oxides,
Pierced bowl with small bronzed rim. Porcelain, graphite, lustre. 200 mm diam
Tall, rimmed, pierced bronzed bowl. Porcelain, terracotta,
graphite, lustre, oxides. 200 x 200 mm
From ruins there is an illusion of permanence and safety. These are three dimensional drawings or small scale sculptures.
A huddle of protected spaces; perhaps walls or houses. They have no rooves and the interior structure is deteriorated. Porcelain, terracotta, 300 x 200 mm
A group of low walls are joined to central buildings. All derelict but still standing. 250 x 250 mm
An impregnable fort - now derelict. Impermanence. Porcelain, terracotta. 300 x 300 mm
Three fortress towers grouped round central shields or rooves. Remnants of a besieged settlement. Porcelain, terracotta, black clay. 300 mm tall x 400 mm. Can be rearranged.
A tall, towered, defensive settlement, long abandoned as it has no roof. Once it may have been a stronghold but now is derelict. Porcelain, terracotta. 300 x 250 mm
A tall towered defensive settlement. It has an additional structure added to the side; perhaps a roof. It has a story to tell. Porcelain, terracotta, black clay. 300 x 300 mm. can be rearranged
A watchful tower. Porcelain. terracotta. 250 x 200 mm
A watchful tower from a different angle - still no way in. Porcelain, terracotta 250 x 200 mm
Shelter: The provision of security and safety
These small scale sculptural pieces came about in response to the desperate situation of migrants and refugees. Proceeds from sales of the pieces go to our local Afghan refugee families.
Roof balanced on four iron legs and supporting a platform for a comfortable night’s sleep Porcelain, iron wire. 400 mm tall. NFS
Small scale sculpture from a different angle. porcelain, iron wire. 400 mm tall. NFS
Roof covering a comfortable cradle, with a smaller roof nearby; ideal for the younger sleeper. Porcelain, terracotta, iron wire. 350 mm and 200mm tall. Two separate structures that can interlock or not.
Roof covering Drone view: a comfortable cradle, with a smaller roof nearby; ideal for the younger sleeper. Porcelain, terracotta, iron wire. 350 mm and 200mm tall. Two separate structures that can interlock or not.
Roof on Legs can be altered by moving the legs, though it can be a precarious operation.
Flat Roof on Legs, not an easy place to find shelter, very exposed. Porcelain, black clay, glaze, lead wire. 200 x 200 mm
A low shelter. A false promise of security. Possible risk of flooding. porcelain, iron wire, 150 x 200 x 80 mm NFS
Detail. A low shelter. A false promise of security. Possible risk of flooding. porcelain, iron wire, 150 x 200 x 80 mm NFS
Tent shelters clustered together. porcelain, black clay glaze, graphite. Individual pieces which can be rearranged. Each one 250 x 100 x 100 mm
Camp. Close up view.
Two demountable tents and poles. Pieces can be rearranged. 200 x 100 x mm biggest tent
…or maybe a dream of safety. Porcelain, 250 x 200 mm
Ghost Shelter - perhaps a dream. (side view) Porcelain 250 x 200 mm
Poles and covers for temporary shelter, unviable. Can be rearranged. porcelain, copper, glaze, 200 x 200 mm
Poles and covers for temporary shelter, unviable. Can be rearranged. porcelain, copper, glaze, 200 x 250 mm
Encampment surrounded by a fence. Enclosure. Porcelain, black clay, glaze, iron wire. 300 x 300 mm
Closer view of tents and fence surrounded by a fence. Enclosure. Porcelain, black clay, glaze, iron wire. 300 x 300 mm
