Narrative and the retelling and misinterpretation of stories is at the centre of my work. Initially concentrating on reimagining and retelling Folk and fairy stories with particularly strong imagery, then merging these stories with imagined back stories for historical figures and their associated iconic imagery.
Narrative and the retelling and misinterpretation of stories is at the centre of my work. Initially concentrating on reimagining and retelling Folk and fairy stories with particularly strong imagery, then merging these stories with imagined back stories for historical figures and their associated iconic imagery.
The aesthetic inspiration is drawn largely from European Applied Art and Design styles from the 1600’s onwards. Underpinning this is the long European tradition of appropriation and reinterpretation or misinterpretation of “exotic” styles that can be seen in National Collections across Europe. I like the idea of getting it slightly wrong and the bluffing and “cobbling together” of styles that has resulted in some fantastic historical objects.
I started making sprigged vessels inspired by the salt glazed “bartmann” figurative bottles, but with the look of tin glazed earthenware from the 1600’s. This evolved into the fully figurative vessels I’m making at present, starting with the bottle shaped wide court mantua dresses of the 1700's. The figures have head “stoppers” to reflect the origin from the figurative bottle and sometimes an additional head stopper to illustrate the metamorphosis of a character.
My work has a very familiar feel to it due to the historical and literary references, even though it has it’s own very definite aesthetic. The pieces are all meticulously hand built, using traditional ceramic techniques. They are coil built, then the shape is refined before adding surface decorations of sprigged (press molded) ephemera and modern computer generated enamel decoration over the glaze.
The subjects for my work come from varied sources - contemporary culture, traditional children’s rhymes and folk tales. I’m fascinated by transformation tales and their imagery, from the traditional, up to the Power Rangers and contemporary kids cartoons.
The aesthetic inspiration is drawn largely from European Applied Art and Design styles from the 1600’s onwards. Underpinning this is the long European tradition of appropriation and reinterpretation or misinterpretation of “exotic” styles that can be seen in National Collections across Europe. I like the idea of getting it slightly wrong and the bluffing and “cobbling together” of styles that has produced some fantastic historical objects and continues most notably in the tradition of Outsider Art.
I started making sprigged vessels inspired by the salt glazed “bartmann” vessels, but with the look of tin glazed earthenware from the 1600’s. This evolved into the fully figurative vessels I’m making at present, starting with the bottle shaped mantua dresses. The figures often have interchangeable head “stoppers” to reflect the transformation of the subject and to allow a sense of play with the object.
My work has a very familiar feel to it due to the historical and literary references, even though it has it’s own very definite aesthetic. It is all meticulously hand built, using traditional ceramic techniques. Each piece is coil built, then the shape is refined before adding surface decorations of sprigged (press molded) ephemera and modern computer generated enamel decoration.
I graduated from Central Saint Martins in 1995 with a 1st in Fine Art Sculpture and gained a Post Graduate qualification in Museum Studies in 2000. Institutions I have worked for include Leighton House Museum, The British Library , London Transport Museum, The Wellcome Trust and notably, the V&A where I managed the installation of objects into the redeveloped British Galleries. During this time, I was privileged to experience so many beautiful objects first hand, to see how they were constructed and understand the making process in great detail. In 2003 I resumed my fine art practice. This time concentrating on ceramics, which I had loved at school, but now, unavoidably adding many different influences gained from a non-Craft education and a wealth of vocational experience working with National Collections.
Education
BA Fine Art Sculpture (1st Class), Central St Martins, London 1995
Exhibitions
Claire Partington & Charles Freger, James Freeman Gallery, London, 2019