Artist's Statement

Lorraine Robson was born in Edinburgh in 1962. She spent some years working as a cartographer before studying Sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art. After graduating she worked for a Commercial Sculpture Studio, producing fibreglass figures to commission. During this period her own sculpture developed in plaster, fibreglass and cold cast metals using forms abstracted from childhood games, primitive tools and museum objects. This work was widely exhibited in Scottish galleries including the Collective, the Royal Scottish Academy and the Fruitmarket Gallery.

In 1994 Lorraine made some experiments with ceramics that led to her turning almost exclusively to this medium. She now produces pots and vessels in glazed earthenware, preferring to hand build each one rather than throwing them. Because of the production method each piece is unique, coils of clay are rolled out and layered, the form gradually evolving as it grows upward, before the surface is refined and smoothed. Lorraine hopes her use of very basic and ancient techniques will be of encouragement to emerging artists and the wider public. She aims to make very beautiful and sophisticated ceramics, but employs the simplest methods to achieve this. The coil method of making pots is known to every schoolchild. The only essential tools needed are a turntable and some scrapers or throwing ribs. Other tools used are sandpaper and modelling tools. Glaze is sponged or brushed on before firing a second time. Her work shows that making beautiful ceramic pots doesn’t require technical brilliance at the throwing wheel but can be a development of the most basic techniques and materials.

The motifs used in her ceramic work come indirectly from her sculptural work but disciplined by the vessel form.

Current Work

Hand-built glazed earthenware coil pots.

Work generally available from:
Lorraine's work is regularly stocked by: The Strathearn Gallery, Crieff
Roger Billcliffe Gallery, Glasgow
James Graham & Sons, New York.
Her work can also be seen at:
The Fotheringham Gallery, Bridge of Allan
The Line Gallery in Linlithgow.

Lorraine also works to commission but, due to demand, orders can take up to two months before delivery. For commissions, 25% of the cost (non-refundable) is payable in advance.

Technical Information

Electric kiln fired to 1145ºC.

Selected Group Exhibitions

       

1987 - Dunkeld and Birnam Arts Festival.
1988 - Royal Scottish Academy Student Exhibition.
1988 - Festival Exhibition, ‘Susan Robson, Lorraine Robson' The Edge, Edinburgh.
1988 - Scottish Society of Women Artists 64th Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.
1988 - Awarded Selina Goodenough Memorial Prize.
1989 - Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition.
1989 - Fruitmarket Gallery Open Exhibition, Edinburgh.
1990 - Scottish Society of Women Artists 65th Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.
1991 - Collective Gallery Festival Exhibition, Edinburgh.
1991 - The Society of Scottish Artists Centenary Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.
1991 - Awarded Arts Council Grant for commissioned installation.
1993 - Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.
1994 - The Scottish Artists and Artist Craftsmen 5th Exhibition, Royal Scottish 1994 - Academy, Edinburgh.
1994 - "On a Small Scale" The Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh.
1994 - Christmas Exhibition, Peter Potter Gallery, Haddington.
1995 - Roger Billcliffe Fine Art Gallery, Glasgow,
1995 - "Women Artists" Peter Potter Gallery, Haddington,
1995 - Riverside Gallery, Stonehaven,
1995 - Crawford Arts Centre, St Andrews,
1995 - The Strathearn Gallery, Crieff,
1995 - "New Works" The Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh.
1996 - Coram Gallery, London,
1996 - Line Gallery, Linlithgow,
1996 - Peter Potter Gallery, Haddington,
1996 - T.Garner Gallery, Glasgow.
1997 - Coram Gallery, London.
1998 - The Scottish Artists and Artist Craftsmen, Perth Museum and Art Gallery,
1998 - The Fotheringham Gallery, Bridge of Allan,
1998 - Commissioned Work for Royal Highland Show,
1998 - James Graham and Sons, New York.
1999 - Crawford Arts Centre, St Andrews,
1999 - Nexus Galleries, Edinburgh.
2000 - James Graham and Sons, New York,
2000 - Line Gallery, Linlithgow,
2000 - The Bellevue Gallery, Edinburgh,
2000 - Nexus Galleries, Edinburgh.
2001 - Gold Gallery, Edinburgh.
2003 - The Stenton Gallery, Stenton
2004 - Morningside Gallery, Edinburgh
2005 - Goddards Gallery, Southhampton
2006 - AE Contemporary Art (formerly Eyestorm Gallery) Warwick
2006 - St Andews Pottery, St Andrews, Fife
2006 - The Park Gallery, Falkirk
2006 - The Biscuit Factory,Newcastle upon Tyne
2006 - Galleria Luti, Callander