Biennial visit

Although my blog focuses on my own ceramic practice, after a visit to Stoke I thought I would include a few brief comments and images of the British Ceramics Biennial. Located in a variety of venues in Stoke on Trent, including the old Spode factory site, it offers a broad survey of contemporary ceramics. Particularly of interest is the breadth of objects that fall under the umbrella of 'ceramics'; within art, design, research, education, and industry. I have to admit that I have become increasingly critical of ceramic/craft exhibitions. However I felt that the Biennial really showcases the possibilities of ceramics for creative or industrial use. The Spode factory couldn't be a more appropriate context; and I would recommend a visit! Particular highlights are Philip Eglin's pieces and the Airspace Gallery's collaborative experimental project. 



www.britishceramicsbiennial.com

Beginnings of a new project

For the last few weeks I have been busy working with new source material gathered in Alberta, Canada during the summer. Continuing with the broad theme of natural history collections, the first group of work will be based on animal displays viewed in an outdoor accessories shop in Calgary. In contrast to the collection referenced in the D'Arcy Thompson Museum, Dundee, these animals have been collected and arranged into display for purely commercial purposes. The first few test pieces explore possible compositions.

As the project evolves updates will be included. The first few finished pieces are under way; like the previous work these will be fairly two dimensional in form. It is intended to continue the theme, but to investigate different contexts of the taxidermied animal. 

Future Craft exhibition

Three pieces are currently exhibited in Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in 'Future Craft'; curated by Dr Louise Valentine and Andy Rice. This follows as a result of my craft residency at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art last year.

http://nscad.ca/en/home/galleriesevents/galleries/currentexhibitions.aspx 

RGS Conference

I recently attended the Royal Geographic Society Annual Conference in London, co-presenting a paper as part of the 'Travel, Tourism and Art' sessions, with Kevin Hannam from the University of Sunderland. To add something different, and compliment the usual Powerpoint presentation, I brought a small group of my work for audience discussion and interaction. Using objects in this kind of context is not that common. Although giving such presentations to a academic audience can be quite pressured, there was generally a very positive response. Most were fascinated by this chance to interact, handle the work and ask questions. 

Other talks offered a variety of new topics of interest; from Japanese book illustration to the picturesque. In particular it served as a reminder how we (as artists) often see and communicate somewhat differently, and how essential it is to communicate what (and why!) we create to non-art audiences. I found immersion in this context (as the only practicing artist) of geography and tourism researchers, architects, art historians and PhD students, to name a few, a rewarding experience. It has encouraged me to continue to research other fields of interest that can inform my work, and to continue to consider it in a much broader context. I was delighted to be selected for this prestigious event, and hope to attend next year. 

Conference and exhibition update

After a few weeks away in Calgary, Canada, I've gathered some new source material which I'll be using over the coming weeks to instigate new work. This will relate to the previous 'Collected Animal' series. 

I have various exhibitions coming up over the next few months:
A wall piece from the series has been selected for exhibition at the 7th International Biennale of Ceramics 2011, Kapfenberg, Austria. 30th Sept - 6th Nov 2011.
http://www.keramik-biennale-kapfenberg.at/index.htm

New work will also be shown at the Contemporary Ceramics Centre, London from the begining of Oct for four months. http://www.cpaceramics.com/

Byard Arts Christmas show will include some of the new pieces; 5th Nov -25th Dec.
http://www.byardart.co.uk/

Finally a small group of pieces will be shown in Halifax, Nova Scotia; in association with Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art (Dundee); details to follow!

This week I will be revisiting my research into tourism and atttending the Royal Geographical Society International Conference in London, supported by Creative Scotland. In collaboration with Professor Kevin Hannam, my research and ceramic work was selected for presentation at the Travel, Tourism and Art session. It coincides with the publication of a collaborative paper  'PRODUCING CERAMIC ART WORKS THROUGH TOURISM RESEARCH'; in the Annals of Tourism Research. This is an exciting opportunity to reach new audiences, and hopefully will generate new contacts and potential opportunities. A report on the conference will follow in a few days...

Philadelphia Salt & Pepper set 2009

More images

Here are some new images fresh from a photo shoot with John McKenzie. Finally the new work will be exhibited for the first time outside of the studio at Byard Art, Cambridge (http://www.byardart.co.uk/) during their summer show.

'The Collected Animal'

Forthcoming exhibitions

Details of two exhibitions I'll be in; will be exhibiting some of my earlier lidded boxes.


'Memory', Beetroot Tree Gallery, South Street, Draycot, Derbyshire DE72 3PP
www.thebeetroottree.com
30th July - 11h Sept


'HerStory', Link Gallery, Winchester 8th June - 8th July