A fascination in marks of erosion and an on-going exploration of tactile objects fuels the making of ceramic artist Anna Whitehouse. Her practice has evolved from growing up in Yorkshire and spending time outdoors. From scrambling over rocks in the Dales to scouring the beach for fossils near Whitby, these experiences can be seen echoed in her work.

Currently based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Anna creates decorative sculptures, vessels and wall pieces reminiscent of eroded shells, fossils and ancient rock formations, elegantly poised and with a timeless quality.

 

Work is slab built and press moulded stoneware, fired to 1280°C. Oxides are applied to add depth to textures in the naked clay whilst bright barium blue glaze pools in dips and recesses, creating a striking visual and tactile contrast.

 

Natural material is also collected from places that inspire the work and added to the barium blue glaze. Currently sand collected from Sandsend Beach north of Whitby is applied, giving a fantastic range of colours; golden yellows, caramelised browns and frosty greens. This is achieved by the rich iron deposits in the sand, capturing the strong mining history of the area and Anna’s own childhood explorations of the coastline.

 

Ultimately Anna aims to create beautiful and intriguing objects that celebrate stolen moments of observation and inquisitiveness.

2009 - Ceramics at Art School, Nov/ Dec, Ceramic Review, Issue 240

2010 - Gallery Pages, March/April, Ceramic Review, Issue 242

2011 - Focus on…All Fired Up, July 11, Living North Yorkshire, High Summer Issue

2010 - Designer Craft Show 2010, (27th Nov - 30th Jan 11), Stockport Art Gallery

2010 - Northern Potters, (Sept - Oct), Platform Gallery, Clitheroe

2010 - 53° North, (July), The New School House Gallery, York

2010 - Art In Clay (August), Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire

2010 - Earth and Fire, (June), Rufford Abbey Country Park, Nottingham

2010 - Craft Lab Degree Show (June), Manchester Metropolitan University
2010 - North Yorkshire Open Studios, (June), 13 Mount Street, Harrogate, North Yorkshire 

2009 - LACi Touring Exhibition, (Nov - July 10), PAD, Preston, Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington, Rossendale Museum & Art Gallery, Rawtenstall and Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk

2009 - Artlink Christmas Craft Show, (Nov - Jan 10), Stockport Art Gallery

2009 - Fresh, British Ceramics Biennial, (Oct - Nov), Emma Bridgewater Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent MMU
2009 - Ceramic Graduates, (July- Sept), Manchester Craft and Design Centre

2009 - New Designers, (July), Business Design Centre London

2009 - Earth and Fire, (June), Rufford Abbey Country Park, Nottingham

2009 - 3D Design Degree Show, (June), Manchester Metropolitan University