I am a ceramic Artist driven by research, designing and experimentation. I enjoy creating work combining growth and biological structures. After university, i hope to continue developing my practice, while also exploring a teaching career that will allow me to combine CREATIVITY, education and making.
Artist Statement
My practice explores the relationship between the human body, ageing, and the biological structure through ceramic vessels forms, inspired by microscopic imagery. I am interested in the idea that although the human body changes throughout life, the cellular structures within us remain constant. Combining scientific research, drawing, surface texture and material experimentation, I investigate themes of growth and fragility using the vessel as a representation of the body. My work combines scientific influence and abstract growth to create forms that reflect the complexity and fragility.
Concept and Themes
My project explores the idea of the human body as a vessel shaped by growth, age and time. Through ceramic forms inspired by biological structures and microscopic imagery, I investigate how the external body develops and changes throughout life, while the cellular structures within remain constant. I am particularly interested in the shape, form, texture, colour and pattern within cellular networks and this alone inspired many of the textures within my work.
I created this work to explore the relationship between the human body and cellular permanence. I was interested in the idea that while the human body evolves and changes physically throughout life, the cells remain constant. Through ceramic vessel forms, I represented the body as a fragile and evolving container, shaped by growth and time. The cellular textures and scientific references were inspired by microscopic cells and biological illustrations. Linking science with art.
Research
My project began with extensive research into the ceramic forms itself. Through analysing historical and and contemporary ceramic vessels, I investigated how shape, scale and surface design could communicate themes of cellular permanence and human development.
These drawings were created as an initial exploration into biological structures and cellular forms. They allowed me to begin developing visual ideas connected to the human body and growth. Through experimentation with line and repeated forms, I started building visual language that later developed throughout my ceramic practice.
The lab tour was highly relevant to my project as it gave me direct insight into the microscopic structures. Observing cellular imagery within a laboratory environment helped me develop a stronger visual connection between science and ceramics. The visit also influenced my use of texture and layering within my work.
This page documents my early research into biological structures and how they could inform the surface texture and shapes within the abstract cellular growth of my ceramic vessels. These observational drawings and annotations helped me develop a stronger understanding of biological aesthetics.
Artist Inspiration
David Goodsell
David Goodsell was an important influence within my project because of the way he visualises microscopic structures through detailed scientific illustration. His work helped me to better understand the complexity, density and interconnected nature of cellular forms, which became a central theme throughout my ceramic practice.
Goodsell’s use of colour, pattern and repetition inspired the surface textures and layered structures within my vessel. The organic arrangements found in his illustrations encouraged me to experiment with intricate textures that reflect the unseen biological systems. What I found most relevant was his ability to translate scientific research into visually engaging imagery. This connection between science and art closer relates to my own project as I explored how laboratory observations and microbiological imagery could be transformed into ceramic forms and tactile surfaces.
Material Experimentation
Material experimentation played an important role throughout the development of my project. As my work was inspired by the histology, cellular structures and laboratory imaging, I explored a range of surface techniques to recreate organic textures within ceramics.
Though testing surface manipulation techniques such as pressing, carving, piercing and additive texture, I was able to develop more complex surfaces that reflected the irregular and clustered qualities found within cellular structures.
Glaze and surface testing became an important part of the processes. I explored matte and glossy finishes to investigate how light interacted with textured surfaces, helping to emphasise depth and detail within the vessel. These experimentations allowed me to refine both the aesthetic and the structural qualities of my work which ultimately informed the final appearance and construction of my vessels.
Development Drawings
The Making Process
Professional Photos
I originally had my vessels photographed professionally while the clay was unfired, however the raw material captured more detail that I initially thought it would - making the images stand out that much more.
I’m so pleased, with the amount of detail that was captured while they were unfired, raw, clay. The surface markings from the paintbrush gave it a more organic feel.
The detail within the vessels is still prominent as I chose to use the spray booth to glaze my vessels. I chose this method of glazing as I didn't want to lose any of the surface detailing.