Plans for 2012!

A quick update to say that my plans for this year include setting up a new studio. Scary venture, but exciting...! This is still at the planning stage; but will include workspace, teaching space and an open access area for a variety of projects. At the moment I'm working out plans for the classes/workshops, amongst other things. 
As the project develops I'll add updates on the blog, my facebook page and twitter... 

@FionaT_ceramics

Watch this space!

Plates

New images of my current enclosed plate project (photos John McKenzie). 


Working on a series of these, alongside writing about the work and the source material which will be developed into a chapter during the year. This will be in an edited book exploring tourism, travel and art. 


Now just over two years since finishing my M.Phil, I find the combined processes of writing and making suit my practice and way of working. And really, the two aren't that different...

Older work

As a slight diversion I've been scanning in slides of my early work, made since setting up my first studio in 1995. An interesting (if slightly time consuming!) process going through boxes of slides revisiting older work; and remembering what my motivations and thought processes were. It's also good to see how things have progressed; although there are still a few similarities with my current pieces. 
It has reminded me that its a good idea from time to time to reflect on early pieces as well as the most current; to get a sense of how the creative journey has evolved! (And to be thankful for the invention of digital photography...)

Vessel 1995 

Exhibition in Cambridge 1997

Vessel 1999

Porcelain plate 2001

Work in progress and forthcoming project

Current work in the studio, focused on enclosed plates, is evolving gradually. The imagery used as source material explores the numerous stuffed animal displays in Alberta, Canada. I'm exploring ways of approaching the ubiquitous plate form as an appropriate format for portraying and 'commemorating' the animals. These vary between being completely enclosed, with a convex curve or slightly raised area on the front, to cut out silhouettes of animals on a flat surface. Many of the plates appear back to front; inspiration coming from an antique 'tongue' plate in my collection with a raised area in the centre. Another plate I'm interested in just now is from Royal Doulton's Series Ware, and shows a photographic image of Lake Louise, Canada. The romanticised vista portrayed is from the region I'm referencing with this work, in which I am also making reference to the landscape. 


This week I will be starting on a piece of written work; I've been selected to write a chapter (co-authored with Kevin Hannam) of an edited book focusing on differing approaches to art, travel and tourism. My contribution will focus on this current project, and will offer a creative individual interpretation of taxidermic collections in Alberta through ceramic artwork. Its an exciting opportunity to be involved with this prestigious project, and a change to revisit earlier research into tourism. I'm looking forward to working on this chapter in conjunction with the artwork itself. More to follow!




A photography session is planned; new images coming soon!

Alberta project

For the first blog of 2012 I thought I'd include a few images of the most recent fired pieces. (Slowly) returning to work after the Christmas break, and making plans for the year ahead...Various projects planned and applications underway, so watch this space!

Biennale de la Ceramique

I will be exhibiting at the Belgian ceramics biennale next year, with two of my 'Collected Animal' pieces.

Ceramics Biennale of Andenne, Belgium
May 27th - June 3rd 2012
www.biennaledelaceramique.be

Alberta project continues

I've included some images of work in progress, currently under way in the studio. It shows more enclosed forms, this time plates, at different stages. These are the pieces before the decals are applied to create the final layers of images and text (the decals are shown separately before being cut out and applied). I decided to revisit the plate format for these pieces; they reference animal collections in Alberta and are in a sense commemorative plates for the different native species.

The pieces will go in for their third and final firing this week, and will be documented soon! It is a gradual process, as the surface imagery is built up on the handbuilt forms over several stages.