Current Work

A sense of presence, intrigue and ambiguity infuses my work. Using a mix of primitive hand-building methods, ancient Japanese raku firing techniques and contemporary Western resist skills, I am able to create a rich palette of tones and textures.

Sensuous, sometimes collapsing, organic forms contrast with the strong, assertive shapes of newer pieces. These are evocative of vases and bowls, yet have closed and sometimes completely flat tops, eliminating any functional use. Resembling hewn monoliths that have been dissected to expose their inner cores, they promise solidity but are, in fact, completely hollow. Vivid splashes of coloured glass add a further element of surprise.

Combining the old with the new, the primitive and the contemporary in an ongoing process of experimentation, my work arouses curiosity, invites interaction and often creates a pleasurable feeling of uncertainty.

2009. The Arts  Council for England awarded Nici the 'grants for  arts'   Lottery funding for a ceramic installation  "Keep off the Grass" within the outdoor exhibition 'Art in the Garden' - Sir Harold Hillier  Gardens  Hampshire in May - October 2009. See  Full details on page 3 of Nici's web site  www.nakedpots.com 

2011 - May, Nici Ruggiero is delighted to be one of a handful of UK artists to have an image selected for a new publication ‘500 Raku’, from Lark Crafts, due for release in March in the US and May 2011 in the UK. The work has been juried by Artistic Director, Jim Romberg, who is one of the leading practitioners and teachers of raku in the world, and who has just retired after eighteen years as Professor of Art at Southern Oregon University. Nici’s selected image shows ‘Porcine’, a large sculptural vessel alongside other raku fired objects, including plates, bowls, cups and vases.

Work Generally Available From:
Gallery at Bevere, Bevere Lane, Worcester, WR3 7RQ
Plumbline Gallery, 2 Barnoon Hill, St Ives Cornwall, TR26 1AD
Bircham Gallery - Holt, Norfolk
View Art Gallery Bristol (www.viewartgallery.co.uk)
Rivers Gallery, Market Street, Nailsworth, GL6 0BX Tel: 01453 836885 (www.riversgallery.com)

Technical Information

I use a clay mixture of Porcelain and T Material and employ throwing or hand-building methods of construction.
First firing – bisque in electric kiln to 1000ºC
Second firing – raku fired in propane gas raku kiln to 1000ºC
The glaze is finally completely removed and the form washed.

Background and History

Awarded Bachelor of Arts Degree with ‘First Class’ Honours in Applied Arts

Memberships
Associate Member of The Crafts Potters Association
The Craft Potters Association ‘Setting Out’ selection
Herts Visual Arts Forum
London Potters Society

Awards and Prizes
 'Open' Exhibition at The Margaret Harvey Gallery St Albans -  Prize for the 'Best Piece from a Welwyn Hatfield Artist 2009
Awarded Full Membership by the Society of Designer Craftsmen

Media Interviews, Publications and Image Features
‘Science V Art’ – Spaces Magazine University of Hertfordshire Issue 3 - Summer Edition 2006 (Full Page Article)
Axis Magazine – Freeform Exhibition at Artshed - September 2007
British Satellite News Video Profile interview at Mall Galleries London - Jan 2008
Ceramic Review Issue 229 Jan/Feb 2008 ‘Setting Out’ Show Selection
University of Hertfordshire Prospectus for 2008 Applied Arts
Crafts Magazine Degree Show Focus 2008 New Designers Advertorial p.14(Image selected)
Craftsman Magazine Craft & Design, New Designers Show Case ‘One Year On’ Issue 198 July/Aug 08 p.33(Image selected)
Ceramic Review - Issue 238 July/August 2009 Article p.56
May 2011 '500 Raku' Lark Books Publications Selected Image p.46
February/March 2011 London Potters News Front Cover: Image

Exhibition History

2011 August - 17th Art In Clay, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
2011 July - August - Out of the Fire, The Gallery, Parndon Mill, Harlow Essex

2010 - November - December -The Christmas Show, The Gallery At Bevere, Worcester.
2010 - September - Artists in Residence Exhibition at the Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Bedfordshire. Title of installed work: 'Curse or Cure'
2010 - August 16th Art in Clay, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
2010 - May - 'Open' Art Exhibition, The Conservatory, Luton Hoo Walled Garden, Bedfordshire

2009 - December - January 2010 - New Maynard Gallery, Campus, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
2009 - December - 'Open Exhibition' Margaret Harvey Gallery, St Albans, Hertfordshire (Prize Winner)
2009 -September - Victoria & Albert Museum, London SW1,  'London Potters' Demonstration Event
2009 - May - November - 'Art in the Garden 09', Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire.
2009 - September - 'Open Studio' Water End, North Mymms, Hertfordshire
2009   August 15th Art in Clay 2009 - Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
2009  July - August  Summer Show - View Art Gallery - Bristol
2009 - March - May - 'Melody' SDC Gallery, London
2009 - January - ‘Designer Crafts at The Mall 2009’ Society of Designer Craftsmen Mall Galleries The Mall London SW1

2008 - December - ‘British Ceramics Biennial’ Project Launch Aynsley China Factory Aynsley Longton
2008 - November - December - ‘Present Arts’ The Gallery at Parndon Mill, Harlow
2008 - October - ‘Underground Art & Design 2008’ Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire
2008 - September - ‘7 Degrees’ Plumbline Gallery St Ives Cornwall
2008 - August - 'Art in Clay 2008' Hatfield House Hatfield Hertfordshire
2008 - July - 'One Year On' New Designers Business Design Centre 52 Upper Street Islington London N1 0QH
2008 - March - April - ‘Setting Out’ New Brewery Arts Cirencester Gloucestershire GL7 1JH
2008 - February - March - Icas Fine Art Gallery Letchworth Hertfordshire
2008 - February - ‘Stepping Out ‘ The Graduate Show - The Gallery at Bevere Bevere Lane Worcester WR3 7RQ
2008 - February - CPA 'Setting Out' Exhibition Contemporary Ceramics 7 Marshall Street London W1
2008 - January - ‘Designer Crafts at The Mall 2008’ Society of Designer Craftsmen Mall Galleries The Mall London SW1

2007 - September - October - 'Freeform' The Artshed Gallery, Westmill Farm, Hertfordshire
2007 - September - ‘Open Studios’ Herts Visual Arts Forum, Open Studios Hertfordshire
2007 - August - Concessionary Exhibit Art in Clay 2007 Hatfield
2007 - July - ‘New Designers Show’ Business Design Centre
2007 - June - 'Degree Show' University of Hertfordshire

2006 - December - ‘Art Exhibition’ RSM Robson Rhodes LLP
2006 - May - 'Harnessing Power' Mill Green Mill & Museum

Demonstrations & Presentations

2009 - August 20th - Demonstration - 'Handbuilding Sculptural Forms' at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London as part of a weekend of special events to celebrate the opening of Phase 1 of the V&A's new Ceramics galleries.
2010 - March 27th  - Presentation 'Keep off the Grass' given to Society of Designer Craftsmen members at their  AGM, held at NCVO, Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL