About

My current practice involves both Graphic Design and Ceramics. I have been a Graphic Designer for 20 years, I have been teaching art and design for almost 10 years and I have been a ceramicist for 4 years. It has been the exciting combination of these disciplines that has inspired me to explore my current practice through the Fine Digital MA. I am exploring textures, methods and techniques in ceramics as well as concepts in digital art. What I intend to do is explore the possibilities of combining my different disciplines. Two artists that I find particularly inspirational are Erin Furminsky and Paul Wandless. They effortlessly combine graphics, printmaking and ceramics. Furminsky uses many different methods including textures. Wandless prints directly onto clay to convey a message.

I am interested in stories. All aspects of stories. Messages. Messages from politics, literature, songs, visual images, advertising, products and body language. Messages are fascinating and thought provoking. I want to experiment with messages, utilising my creative skills in order to develop new personal practice and consider my process. I am following closely the debate of technology versus craft. I have a foot in both camps. As QuarkXPress was the death of Coral Draw, Indesign was the death of QuarkXPress will 3D printing be the death of handforming in ceramics as we know it?

I will continue to read extensively and employ appropriate research methodology. I will visit contemporary and historical artwork in order to enrich my experiences and contribute to the development of my research. I intend to interview individuals and record dialogue as part of my experimentation. I want pose questions as well as seek answers. At the moment I am reading a Maya Angelou book of quotes and speeches. The book is my guide. It is my map. This woman is universally inspirational. She was ahead of her time, able to describe eloquently what it is to be a woman in the 20^th century USA. What it is to be a black woman. What she has to say remains relevant.

The resources I will require for the development of my practice are: access to printmaking facilities including a 3D printer, ceramics studio including a potter’s wheel and a digital media suite. I intend to use all the UAL library facilities and travel to enrich my conceptual research. I look forward to a dialogue with tutors and artists and to participating in symposiums and seminars.

I am aware that there is a thriving contemporary art scene in London. Artists are working hard and using inventive methods to sustain their practice. In South London particularly Peckham there are many artists’ studios which also act as gallery spaces. Artists are involved in many aspects of the local community including for example education. This is how I see my future.

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