The Screen
The Language of Claythe [...] space
08 January - 26 January 2019
As we look forward to Language of Clay exhibition, Ingrid Murphy’s ‘Seen and Unseen’ which opens on Saturday 02 February, we look back at the artists who have contributed to this series so far and those we are still to enjoy.
The Language of Clay is an ongoing project that celebrates the diversity of accomplished ceramic practice. It presents new bodies of work by selected contemporary ceramic artists with studio practices in Wales.
Each artist approaches the medium with varying perspectives, experiences and skills. Ceramic practice is wonderfully boundless in its creative possibilities. As an organic material, clay responds so dynamically to different approaches and treatments. It is this quality that makes it both beguiling and challenging to work with. Within a field that is wonderfully rich in Wales, the artists featured bring singular expertise.
The Language of Clay is curated by Ceri Jones and . It is delivered in partnership with Ruthin Craft Centre, Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre and Aberystwyth Ceramic Gallery. The initiative is funded by the Arts Council of Wales.
The project comprises touring solo exhibitions. These are accompanied by interpretation material, publications, a handling collection and participatory programmes. Through project activity, we hope to reveal the delights of clay and the enormous significance of ceramics in our lives.
The Language of Clay is a platform for enquiry and discovery. It is, we trust, an invitation for more people to join the conversation.
Part One
Anna Noël’s figurative ceramics delighted us in their telling of tales. Micki Schloessingk’s wood fired pots have brought pleasure everyday in their use. Anne Gibbs brought us still life in quietly composed miniature form.
Part Two
The three artists whose work we’ll enjoy in this series, Justine Allison, Ingrid Murphy and Kate Haywood, are specialists in ceramic practice. For each of them, clay is the primary material, one that they know fundamentally well and each work with in inimitable ways.
Balanced between functional and sculptural, Justine’s practice brings us precious porcelain vessels that capture the light. Ingrid has fun pushing the boundaries of technology in her work. Integrating ever-advancing technological resources into her ceramic forms, Ingrid uses familiar items to uncover histories and narratives. Kate creates meticulous sculptural forms. Her conceptual practice is research driven and methodical. Combined with an elegant aesthetic, the precision of her process makes her work poetic.
The Language of Clay exhibitions will be touring venues across Wales during 2017-2019. Accompanied by programmes of activity, they afford opportunities for us to further expand the consideration of ceramic practice and to meet some of our brilliant ceramic artists.
