The Maker
Christine JonesMaker in Focus
02 October - 11 November 2012
Christine Jones is a ceramicist based in Swanseaand her first solo exhibition entitled Clay Circles was at Mission Gallery (formerly Swansea Art Workshop Gallery) in 1985.
“Clay is primary, itself magical in it’s transformation from soft clay to hard ceramic. The material, the technique of coiling and form are central. The colour, light and space of the coastline of Wales are my inspiration and passion. Recently, wishing to add another dimension to my work, I spent a year documenting the sky and the ocean. Recording the ever changing light and colour has directly influenced the ideas for the new work and prompted my interest in the tradition of pattern. Pattern is fundamental to nature, the essence, a crystallization. Unifying form, colour and pattern.
I hope the vessels convey a sense of space and clarity, whilst still containing the energy and joy of making. It is my continuing aspiration to make vessels that have presence and spirit”.
The clay is coloured using stains and oxides. The vessel is built on a pinch pot base with two or three coils added each day, taking up to two or more weeks to complete. The distinctive forms and colours of her pieces are highly respected by both private and public collectors, nationally and internationally, including the National Museum of Wales,Cardiff, Sainsbury Collection,Norwich and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.