Wednesday 28 December 2011

PIGEON ENGLISH

I recently presented my proposal for a Ceramic Installation as part of a collaborative project between Bath Spa University and The Holburne Museum, Bath.
The Holburne Museum, originally used as a hotel, is housed in an imposing regency building adjacent to Sidney Gardens, Bath.
The Museum has recently undergone a £10 million refurbishment to add a glass wing to the rear garden elevation of the building. One of the aims of this ambitious project was to facilitate a spiritual reconnection of the Museum with Sidney Gardens beyond.
When visiting the museum, I'm intrigued by the vistas from within the building, which lead your gaze to the outside and beyond, there is a fluidity of energy here, which flows seamlessly from the outside in, and the inside out.
Elements I have considered when developing the idea for this project are:

  • Bringing the exterior in and the interior out, to further strengthen the sense of Museum and Gardens being conjoined.

  • The historical context of the building, as an emporium of elegant dining.

  • The museum’s collection of decorative English tableware.
The site for the installation is the unusual glazed space (which I view as a cabinet) that has been created surrounding the new café.
This is a hinterland between the Gardens and the House/Cafe, the exact point where the to elements meld as one.



From the Gardens I introduce pigeons, birds largely associated with public open spaces and also for gracing the menus of regency dining tables.


                            David Shrigley 1996       http://www.davidshrigley.com

From the museum I introduce the vibrant coloured glazes and metal lustres used to decorate the English tableware. These sweet sugary colours give reference to the sugar paste ornaments, which were created to decorate the Georgian dining table.
The pigeons will dine alongside the Museum Café customers.
I intend this work to encourage enquiry from the onlooker, provoking curiosity to explore the connection between my work and it’s context within the museum.






Thursday 8 December 2011

LAND OF LOST CONTENT

National museum of British Popular Culture. 
http://www.lolc.org.uk
Can't wait to visit this intriguing Museum in Shropshire.
Meet Stella Mitchell on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nox91qj26M4

Wednesday 2 November 2011

ARTISTS & DESIGNERS AT SOMERSET HOUSE


My work will be for sale at the Christmas 'popup shop' in the newly refurbished East Wing of Somerset House. 
The show runs alongside SKATE the Tiffany & Co. sponsored ice rink.
22 Nov - 8 Jan 
Daily 11.00-18.00, open late on Thurs, Fri & Sat.
Admission is free. 

Thursday 20 October 2011

THE ARTIST'S SINK















This new book, compiled by Jo Talbot Bowen and Fran Turner gives the reader a fascinating delve into the studio sinks of thirteen West Country Artists, including my own.
Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the charity WATERAID. 

Sunday 9 October 2011

HOLBURNE MUSEUM BATH


I spent the day at the Holburne Museum, Bath on Wednesday as part of a collaborative project organised by the University. 
I last visited a couple of years ago, before work to the new extension had begun.









ARTS & HUMANITIES RESEARCH COUNCIL

I have been awarded a Studentship to follow the Professional Masters Programme studying Design: Ceramics, at Bath Spa University.
This is an exciting opportunity for me to develop my practice and to explore new ideas.

Thursday 8 September 2011

NEWS

I've been selected to show at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen's Christmas Exhibition.



DIANNA PORTER CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY




My collection of Ceramic Cameos is now available from 
Diana Porter Contemporary Jewellery.
33 Park Street
Bristol
BS1 5NH
UK


























Friday 24 June 2011

HABITAT ENTERS ADMINISTRATION

How ironic was my choice of name for 
the range of vases designed for Habitat?

mem.men.to
noun (pl. -toes or -tos)
an object kept as a reminder or souvenir of a person
or event: you can purchase a memento of your visit.
ORIGIN late Middle English (denoting a prayer of
commemoration): from Latin, literally 'remember!',
imperative of meminisse.

    Habitat. Queens Road, Clifton, Bristol.

Wednesday 27 April 2011

MEMENTO VASES

MEMENTO, the range which I have designed for Habitat is now available
in store and on line at habitat

                                       

Tuesday 12 April 2011

EPISODE 1

It's hard to be objective about the programme having been involved in it's making, however I think that they've certainly captured on screen that same sense of excitement, elation and anticipation that I felt when pitching my ceramic vases to the buyers at Habitat.
I'll look forward to the next instalment.....

Friday 1 April 2011

BRITAIN'S NEXT BIG THING

BBC2 Tuesday 12th April 2011
I feature in this new seven part t.v documentary series in which retail entrepreneur and "Dragon" Theo Paphitis follows both buyers and suppliers as they experience the highs and lows of bringing a product to market, from initial pitch to the shop shelf.
By staging three unique open days, Britain's Next Big Thing offered unknown designers like myself 'the chance of a lifetime:' to pitch directly to the retail industry's power brokers in an attempt to get our products stocked in three of the country's most prestigious stores.
My Memento range of contemporary ceramic vases is now available in Habitat stores throughout Europe.


NO APRIL FOOLERY

Me &Mr.P at home