My press moulded vessels, are physical, expressive of geological processes. The vigorous handling of clay is a balance of risk and control. Each vessel is unique, formed with black stoneware and embedded with clays I dig up near the principal rivers of Scotland. Iron oxide is also central to my work as the clays are usually saturated with iron oxide in one of its forms – black, ochre or red. These clays fire orange or deep brown so my work is a tale of orange and black, a colour combination with an ancient ceramic pedigree. I celebrate the Scottish land by exploring each clay’s properties. The bowls’ round circle is an archetypal form; These vessels, with no obvious function, use the vocabulary of domestic ceramic craft – the bowl, the pouring cut in the lip, the rectangular handle incision in the vessel wall, to make statements about form and space. Measuring 55cm across and 19cm high they create an immense space for reflection. When the indigenous clays and themes such as plants and house motif come together on black they set off a reverberation which pricks, a slight disturbance of consciousness which unsettles, asking questions of the viewer unsettles for I imagine through Sibyl, the ancient female story telling voice that starts with once upon a time but does not provide answers. This deliberate cross over between decorative art and fine art questions our values. What is high art and low art. What is domestic and what is wild. How do we imagine our land? I am trying to develop an unsentimental craft that corresponds with the unsettled times we live in.


All work is for sale. I am happy to also make bespoke vessels for clients using clay from your gardens and land.