Bath Spa University

Accumulation Vessel

Ashton Meadows sits on the banks of the River Avon in Bristol. It is a piece of unprepossessing land, an edgeland; neither city, nor countryside. Spanning the Avon is a dual carriageway. Its foundations, wading in the river below, have created a bank of clay accessible to the eager ceramicist. Accumulation Vessel is created from casting objects discovered at Ashton Meadows. These casts are combined and assembled in such a way that a unique vessel is produced from a process commonly associated with mass production. Earthenware slip is applied in layers over the slipcast body, creating stalactite fronds. Clay from the river is applied to the surface and when heated to 1260c an ox blood red glaze is produced. Exploring the qualities of clay sourced at Ashton Meadows is a central theme throughout this body of work. As a result the aesthetic of the work is derived from the language of the clay and tells the story of Ashton Meadows.

Steven Sales

Wind Form 1

Chris Speyer’s sculptural Wind Forms employ high-fired stoneware and metallic stains to express the puncturing of contentment by doubts and misgivings; rhythmically undulating surfaces are pitted and bruised by hard, jagged intrusions, and the integrity of each smooth, white body is threatened by a creeping network of cracks.

Christopher Speyer

Hung-Over

Anna Simson created an installation of cups entitled Practically (Dys)functional, as part of her Bath Spa Masters Project. The work pursues an investigation into handles and rims adding a playful take on practicality and function. Anna creates unique functional and sculptural pieces from her studio in Gloucestershire. More information on www.annasimsonceramics.com

Anna Simson

Curly-Wurly

Anna Simson created an installation of cups entitled Practically (Dys)functional, as part of her Bath Spa Masters Project. The work pursues an investigation into handles and rims adding a playful take on practicality and function. Anna creates unique functional and sculptural pieces from her studio in Gloucestershire. More information on www.annasimsonceramics.com

Anna Simson

Untitled

Samantha Silverton creates ceramic collages and assemblages which are inspired by the landscape. By capturing the essence of a place, working from a series of moments and relying on memories and emotions evoked, she explores colour and mark making with a vibrant and intuitive energy, creating expressive paintings on fired earth.

Samantha Silverton

Bigboy

Faye Hadfield has been making deliberately misshapen vases that parody emoticons. Their faces are not mere signifiers – they’re invested with relatable human feelings, intended to create a tension between the object and the viewer. This collection of ‘idiosyncratic’ vases has grown into a family; each has distinctly individual characteristics, but are interrelated by using the concept of anthropomorphism.

Faye Hadfield

DIRTYORANGE

all objects are 26 cm height, 23 cm diameter all objects are ceramic

Charles Salaman

DIRTYRED

all objects are 26 cm height, 23 cm diameter all objects are ceramic

Charles Salaman

Porcelain Tools

My practice begins with walking and the experiential process of the body’s movement through a landscape. Repetition of pace is similarly explored through repeat mark makings employed on clay. Objects encountered within a site are collected, cast and re-appropriated into a series of porcelain tools used to make these marks. A constructed body of forms are then assembled, creating an interactive dialogue about place and process.

Alice Shields

Walking Through a Landscape

My practice begins with walking and the experiential process of the body’s movement through a landscape. Repetition of pace is similarly explored through repeat mark makings employed on clay. Objects encountered within this site are collected, cast and re-appropriated into a series of porcelain tools used to make these marks. A constructed body of forms are then assembled upon the wall, creating an interactive dialogue about place and process.

Alice Shields

untitled

The ‘revolution is us’ (Joseph Beuys) is a key concept in my work. Art, I believe has a transformative effect on humanity - my assemblages are about seeking self-realization, renewed hope for the future, spiritual uplift and social transformation. Each piece is constructed from pre-fired clay, paper images and found objects.

Hannah Yeadon

untitled (detail)

Stackings by Kelly Carvajal Gomez is a series of vessels responding to design and decoration in British and Colombian cultures, using porcelain and terracotta respectively. Kelly is exploring the border between functional and sculptural objects and uses surface design to echo distinct details and patterns from observations and drawings from daily experiences.

Kelly Carvajal Gomez

Teapot with cups & jug

My practice consists of porcelain functional ware, focusing on design, refinement and functionality. These are quite, reserved, intimate objects which have no hidden purpose other than to be appreciated for their form and to be recognised as something more than the everyday. 

Hannah Beickhorasani

Fire Mask

The game is up. I'm working, my base instinct now arrived, I need to make hay. For to sit on my loins would be a waste of energetic momentum. I used to rely on my hands to keep me alive. From a fragmented place I came. Now my whole self is ready.

Emily Harnett

Klive 2

My work utilises processes which reveal and exploit the inherent qualities and materiality of clay and locally sourced materials. My work aims to evoke the richness of the earth and its hidden geological narratives as well as the alchemy of ceramics.

Milly Hardy

Klive 3

Milly Hardy

untitled

The pieces on show at New Designers represent a collection developed for the MA at Bath. They reference boards and counters and grew out of a long-standing interest in games and the joy of limits. These pieces are made to be used, to be interacted with, to be fun.

Dawn Kyra Blessing