Ceramic artist, Louise (b. 1962), initially studied Psychology and worked in Further Education for 18 years. She then studied Fine and Applied Art at City Lit College, London, before completing an MA in Craft at Brighton University in 2017.
I make specific projects of hand built ceramic sculptures with multi – layered surfaces. Each of the series I work on, evolves from the series before.
To date, the projects explore a theme – Ancient Toys, Regeneration and Endangered Species. I am always thinking about how I can develop an idea, hence the design process is long, involving lengthy research, drawing and experimentation.
Every sculpture is unique and hand built. I make press-moulds and stamps for each piece to give the texture that I am looking for and adjust glaze recipes to produce the finish that suits the piece. Similarly, I use various hand-building methods for each piece. I particularly enjoy slab building and mould making. I use high firing earthenware clay, slips, underglazes, a lithium glaze and sometimes gold lustre and enamels to achieve a muted surface that gives the impression that the sculptures are ancient artefacts.
My designs are broadly inspired by ancient toys and folk art.
The Ancient Toys project was inspired by the universal appeal of toys, with sources of this appeal dating back as far as 1600BC. Many of these toys would have been made in either wood or clay originally. The surface treatment of this collection gives the impression of toys being rescued from the earth. I am concerned with the preservation of childhood objects, their longevity and the value of iconic toys that have evolved through centuries and across continents and yet have changed so little in shape and purpose.
These toys, that evoke human emotion and make personal connections through interaction and play, should be celebrated particularly in today’s consumerist, throw – away culture. I see this series as decorative objects that will become collectable pieces. Each animal has the essence of the animal it is depicting, plus a dash of humour.
Out of this project came the Regeneration series. During the COVID-19 pandemic it was easy to feel low. I tried to look for emerging hope. The environment was having a bit of a breather and people were taking to the streets to campaign to save our planet. The animals in the Ancient Toys series became totemic animals carrying symbols of hope for the environment. For example, ‘Jump and Grow Wings on the Way Down – Trojan Horse’, in the Silson Show, is a symbol of the next generation bringing hope.
The Endangered Species project has clear links to my previous projects – endangered animals (in this Show, ‘Giant Anteater’ and ‘Lion’) are depicted as toys to indicate that representations of these endangered animals maybe all that is left if humans do not address their actions.
She works from her studio in Lewes, Sussex. In 2019 she was invited to participate in the Craft Council’s Hothouse Programme, which supports talented makers at the start of their career. She is a member of Design Nation and exhibited with them at Collect, Somerset House, London in 2025. She also exhibits at various galleries in the UK.
LOUISE WILL BE SHOWING THIS COLLECTION IN OUR SHOW ‘VARIATIONS ON A THEME’, STARTING 14TH FEBRUARY.
