BA (Hons) Ceramics 2004 |
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Kelli Court Tel 07830 217011 |
As soon as I began this project, I knew I had to dedicate it to achieving these types of qualities in clay. I aspired to create a series of thrown objects that not only had interesting surfaces and forms but also exuded a sense of fragility. I realised that to emphasise the shell like surfaces I would need to use a simple and tactile form. I decided to use my favourite of all the thrown forms, the bowl. I fell in love with bowls the first time I ever saw the work of Lucie Rie four years ago on my foundation course. It was then I was exposed to extended foot rings, oval rims and bohemian glazes, I was hooked. This body of work is divided into five groups. Each group represents a ‘species’. They all differ in scale, texture and markings as do actual shells. Each series of bowls have been made with a different aspect of shells in mind, barnacles, and precious gifts from the ocean, erosion - by the continuous tide, shell markings and individuality amongst a species. Even with all the subtle differences that occur between each grouping the bowls, just like real shells, each group resembles each other, all conveying similar qualities throughout the range of species. |
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My passion for collecting shells developed in early infancy. It
was ignited during my first summer holidays, spent caravanning
on the coast of west Wales. My parents did not have a lot of money
at the time, so the only souvenirs I had to take home were the
shells I had collected from the beach. During this period, I had
no interest in learning the actual purpose of shells and in my
ignorance I believed them to be gifts washed up from the sea bed.
I was fascinated by their texture and colourings and intrigued
by their beautiful form and deceptively fragile appearance.
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