My ceramics are defined by their elaborate hand-painted surface decorations applied to both sculptural work as well as domestic pottery. The patterns I use draw on distinctive areas of surface patterns used by different people around the world, such as Kuba textiles and Iznik pottery. They are paired with different ceramic decorating traditions, such as black-on-black ceramics by Acoma potter Maria Martinez or English slipware. I mix and contrast these different decorating techniques patterns to create new cultural hybrid pieces. Having a mixed cultural background including German, Swedish, South African and English roots I am using my ceramics as a means to investigate issues of culture and identity, multi-culturalism and communication. I am interested in how the different elements of my work balance out and, sometimes, seem to create new cultural reference points.
I have come fairly late to ceramics and have completed an MA in Ceramics at the University of Central Lancashire in October 2018. Having been awarded the ArtLab Fellowship in Ceramics 2018 has given me the opportunity to work independently and develop my work further within the setting of university run studio.
Since graduating I have been applying for relevant competitions and residencies, both nationally and internationally. I won the ‘Splendid Surface’ online competition of the month run by the CPA and have been featured on Potclays’ website. In April I showed my ceramics in the UCLay exhibition in Preston. I have been selected to show my work as a newcomer at the Earth and Fire International Ceramics Fair in Welbeck in June 2019.
