Past and Present
This body of work explores the relationship between material, process and place. Each ceramic vessel is shaped not only by hand, but by the interaction of fire, smoke and atmosphere during firing. Using historically informed techniques such as pit, barrel and saggar firing, the work embraces a degree of unpredictability—allowing elemental forces to leave their mark on surface and form.
The palette is drawn from the coastal landscapes of Scotland’s west coast and the Western Isles. Turquoise, sea-green and soft blue glazes move across pale, sand-toned clay bodies, evoking tidal waters, salt-worn stone and shifting light at the shoreline. In contrast, more muted, textured surfaces recall erosion, decay and the enduring presence of ancient materials.
Influences from Celtic and Pictish pottery traditions inform the structure of the vessels, though not as direct reference, but as a starting point for contemporary interpretation. Each piece is unique, carrying a record of its making—of heat, time and environment—resulting in tactile forms that sit between control and chance.
