Artist Bio
From my earliest experiments in art I’ve found the variety and beauty of the human form endlessly fascinating and life-drawing was my first love. For me the human element is vital.
It wasn’t until I trained to teach in my twenties that I had any formal art training. It was then, following a course in Ceramic Sculpture, that I became committed to 3D work.
In subsequent years whilst working as a teacher and raising children, I continued making, selling and exhibiting, keeping my passion for sculpture alive by developing my skills in ceramics and extending my sculptural repertoire with experiments in cold-casting and courses in stone and wood-carving; always persisting with the life drawing which gives me my inspiration.
In 2008, I fulfilled a life-long ambition to undertake the Brighton University course in 3D Materials Practice (Wood Metal Plastic and Ceramic) and achieved my degree in Art and Design in 2011, specialising in wood and metal work.
Since then I’ve worked as a full-time artist, currently from my studio in Coachwerks, Brighton, creating sculpture in clay, wood and stone for exhibition, sale and commission and running workshops in ceramic sculpture.
I am drawn to organic materials and especially enjoy working with ‘found’ wood from the natural environment. Starting from observational life drawing, the ideas take shape through a dialogue with the materials to represent the essence of a posture, relationship or emotion. The fluid, sensuous forms are the product of my lifelong fascination with the human figure, realised through a ‘hands-on’ response to the organic materials I use.
Lately I’ve been focusing on ceramic work. I fell in love with clay many years ago for its malleability and versatility as a sculptural medium. Form is my prime concern and clay is the ideal material to create the curvaceous forms that stem from my life-drawing, using the coiling method of handbuilding.
I’m not a decorator but working with other ceramicists at Coachwerks has reawakened my interest in texture and I’m relishing experimenting with alternative firing methods as a means of providing surface interest to my sculptural forms. In particular, burnishing and sawdust firing; exciting in its unpredictability.
Exhibited:
‘Make Connect’ Coachwerks, Brighton
‘Made’ Brighton
Nigel Rose Gallery, Brighton
Skyways Gallery, Shoreham
Adur Art Festival
Brighton Festival
New Designers Business Centre, London
Portico Gallery Riverhead
Gallery 100 Brighton
Hawks Conservancy, Andover
Loverslights Gallery, Twickenham
Skyline Gallery, Brighton Marina
The Gallery, Brighton Marina
Wysing Arts, Cambridge
Borde Hill, West Sussex
