TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND ARTISTIC INFLUENCES  
 

Technical Information

I am a hand builder. I have never been tempted to learn to use a potter’s wheel and I like to work as freely and as quickly as possible, in a rather unconventional manner. Nothing I make is functional by intention; my pieces are purely decorative.

I work almost exclusively with paper clay which is a wonderfully flexible hybrid clay. The small percentage of paper pulp, or other fibres, which is mixed with the base clay, lends the material a strength, flexibility and plasticity which enables me to pursue the unusual shapes and techniques which appeal to me.

I like to see how far the clay will let me go and constantly experiment with shapes and textures. Increasingly, I find that paper clay will allow me to break the normal “rules of ceramics” and still produce successful pieces. I often carve aggressively into a shape to produce either my raised figure pieces, or other textured work. Any disruption to the piece can be remedied by using additional paper clay. Dry pieces can be “rewetted” and altered.

I concentrate on various forms of stoneware clays and porcelain. My work is fired to stoneware temperatures, usually to 1255 °C.

I use a limited palette of glazes concentrating on a bronze finish and a matt transparent glaze on the majority of my figure pieces. When I experiment with glazes, I like to explore the effects of silicon carbide. Interesting textures with an organic look appeal to me.

Artistic Influences

My hand built sculptural ceramics, which are decorated with superimposed figures of outstretched people, originally developed from emotions I experienced researching my father’s family history. (He was a Kindertransport child who came to England from Germany just before WW2.) However, as my work has developed, lighter inspirations, most significantly the feelings evoked by contemporary dance, inform my sculptures. The figures on my pieces interlock to form patterns across the surface of the work and I try to convey a vivid sense of movement and humour. I aim to produce pieces that are emotionally affecting, and that make a strong statement.

Other Information

The 2D aspect to my work, ceramic wall plaques, developed from my desire to broaden the appeal of my ceramics. The tiles are mounted on painted boards which vary in size from 20 cm x 20 cm - 30 cm x 30 cm. In 2004, I introduced a new aspect to this 2D work. I broke up some of my cylinder pieces and mounted the fragments on painted boards. These pieces have an archaeological feel and are in the spirit of recycling which pervades ceramic work.

The free standing pieces are usually made by building a core shape (cylinder or pointed cone) and then painting, carving or superimposing figures. The pieces vary in heights from 10 cm - 90 cm. They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor display.

The textured pieces (without figures) are also suitable for both outdoor and indoor display. They can vary in height from 20 cm - 80 cm.

             
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