Artists Statement and Current Work

Artists Statement
The pots that I make explore simple formats, working in series to gradually extend the boundaries of the ceramic structures that are my current obsession; making subtle changes until the pieces develop a voice which has a resonance that interests and excites me.
Pieces are thrown on a wheel, an intense, physical process that demands immediate responses to material and form; surfaces react to the slightest touch, traces of hand and tools remain, the indents and hollows created by fingers and fists interrupt and contradict symmetry.
Bold, ostensibly black marks, wrap themselves around the porcelain forms, describing
and defining spaces;  brushmarks fade and blur, inky opaque bands change to pale fresh air blues. There are remnants in these vessels of the vast landscapes which have always been my inspiration.
K.C. 2008

Current Work:
Thrown and altered bowls, jugs and vases in stoneware and porcelain are recurrent themes in her work and she makes pots in series being constantly engaged by subtle variations between each form.

Work generally available from:
Bircham Gallery, Holt, Norfolk, UK

Technical Information

Pots are thrown on a wheel and the interplay of form and surface are an important part of her work. Layers of oxide stain and glaze are applied until the surface is animated by a series of marks, reflecting her observations of the landscape and producing a silky finish.

History

 1962 - Born, Southwell, Nottinghamshire.
1981 - 1982 - West Nottinghamshire College of Further Education.
1982 - 1985 - Camberwell School of Art, B.A. (Hons.) 1st Class, Ceramics.
1985 - 1986 - Goldsmiths College, Art Teachers Certificate
1996 - Beatrix Born!
1998 - Oliver Born!

Career Background
1986 - 1990 - Harrow College of Higher Education - Part-time lecturer with responsibility for drawing;
1986 - 1990 - Ceramics HND Course
1986 - 1990 - West Nottinghamshire College of Further Education;
1986 - 1990 - Part-time lecturer in Ceramics; Adult Education.
1986 - 1989 - Goldsmiths College; Visiting Lecturer.
1987 - 1988 - Bretton Hall College, West Yorkshire; Part-time Lecturer in Ceramics.
1987 - 1997 - West Nottinghamshire College of Further Education;
1987 - 1997 - Part-time Lecturer, Foundation and GAD/GNVQ Art and Design courses.
1993 - 1994 - Derby University; Part time Ceramics Lecturer , BA Hons Applied Arts.
1990 - 2001 - University of Westminster (Harrow site),Half-time Lecturer, BA(Hons), Ceramics
From 2001   -  Course Leader, BA(Hons) Ceramics, University of Westminster (Harrow site)
2006            - External Examiner: Royal College of Art
2007 +         - External Examiner: University of Glasgow
 

Potteries
1986 -1988      - Set Up First Workshop in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire.
1988 -1999      - Set Up Second Workshop in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
2000 - present - Moved workshop to the Harley Foundation, Worksop.

Professional Societies
Fellow of the Craft Potters Association of Great Britain.
Fellow of the Craft Potters Association of Great Britain.
Chair : NACHE ( National Association for Ceramics in Higher Education)
Chair of the Ceramic Contemporaries 4  NACHE Exhibition  Committee.

Awards

1987 - Crafts Council Setting up Grant
1989 - East Midland Arts Grant for Publicity and assistance in attending Chelsea Crafts Fair for the first time.
1993 - East Midland Arts Equipment Grant.
1997 - Major Development Award, East Midland Arts.
2000 - Residency at Rufford Ceramic Centre.
2005 - Arts Council Award

Catalogues

Essay by John Houston 'Pour when Inclined' 1994
Short Essay by Emmanuel Cooper for the Hart Gallery Show 1995
Essay by Edmund De Waal 'The pleasurable activity of the journey', The ceramics of Kyra Cane. ISBN 1 85919 014 6
Short text by Edmund  de Waal for Catalogue 2005
Essay by Emmanuel  Cooper  ‘Parallel Lines’ - September 2008

Articles and Critical Reviews

Crafts Magazine Nov/Dec 1994. Pages 53 and 54.
Studio Pottery Dec/Jan 1994/95
Article - Neue Keramik (German Publication) May - June 1996 Page 150
Article - Ceramic Review Jan/ Feb 2001

Commissions

1995 - Presentation Piece for Queen Elizabeth on the opening of the Queens Building at University of Westminster.
2005 - Large vessels for P&O Cruise Liner ( ARCADIA) 

Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions:    
2008        Harley Gallery – Landscape, Drawings and Ceramics.
2002         White Gallery , Brighton  
2001        Hart Gallery, London.
1999        Bettles Gallery, Hampshire
1995        Galerie ‘L’ Hamburg, Germany
1995        Hart Gallery, London
1994         “Pour When Inclined” Canvas Gallery, Tower Bridge, London, The Road  Mender, Northampton
1993        “Pots and Paintings”, Kirkbride Gallery, Traquair, Scotland
1990        Montpellier Gallery, Cheltenham
1989         “New Work” Sue Williams Gallery, Portobello Road, London
1987        “Pots and Paintings”, Field Gallery, Nottingham
1985        Paintings and Pots, Midland Group, Nottingham

Group Exhibitions:
2007        Firing Thoughts . Manchester
2007         Collect : V&A
2006        Institute of Fine Arts,  Beijing, China
2006         Sarah Myerscough Gallery, London
2006        Ceramic Art  London
2005        Carlin Gallery, Paris.
2005        Art London, Sarah Myerscough
2005         Ceramic Art London
2004        "Graft" Harley Foundation Studio Show, Harley Gallery, Welbeck. Notts.
2004        MACBA  Barcelona (Museum of Contemporary Art) Arts Council Show
2004        Totally Teabowls. Oakwood Gallery. Nottinghamshire
2004        "Bloomers" Contemporary Ceramics Gallery. London
2004        Firbob and Peacock. Knutsford. Cheshire
2004        Affordable Art Fair. London  ( John Noott Gallery )
2003        John Noott Galleries, Broadway Modern, Gloucestershire.
2003        Wessex Fine Arts and Ceramics, Dorset - Joint show with Chris Keenan
2003        New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham
2002        Christmas Show.Bircham Gallery, Holt, Norfolk
2002        SOFA  Chicago     ( White Gallery)    
2002        Grange Barn Galleries. Group Show
2001        SOFA  Chicago  ( White Gallery)    
2001        ‘Painterly Pots’  Brewery Arts Centre. Cirencester
2000        Chelsea Crafts Fair, London.
1999        Christmas Show. The Gallery Upstairs. Henley in Arden
1998        Summer Show. The Gallery Upstairs, Henley in Arden
1997        Chelsea Crafts Fair, London.
1997        Rufford Craft Centre, Nottinghamshire, Major Group Show with Ruthanne Tudball and Josie Walters
1995         Studio Ceramics”94”, Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
1992        Patchings Art Centre, Nottinghamshire
1992        Fiery Beacon Gallery, Painswick, Gloucestershire
1991        “Decorative Ceramics”, Rufford Craft Centre, Nottinghamshire
1991        Chelsea Crafts Fair, London
1990        Chelsea Crafts Fair, London
1989        Chelsea Crafts Fair, London
1989        Terrace Gallery, Worthing
1989        “New Faces” Victoria and Albert Museum, London
1989        “Harrow Connection”  Touring Show: Northern Contemporary Arts Centre, Crafts Council, London
1988        Cecilia Colman Gallery
1988        “Shape and Surface”  Touring Show; Gainsborough’s House, Suffolk; Peterborough Museum; Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh
1987        “Decorative Jugs”, Cecilia Colman Gallery, London
1987        Beverley Art Gallery (Copernican Connection), North Yorkshire
1987        “Contemporary Ceramics”, Christ’s Hospital, West Sussex
1986        Field Gallery, Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire
1986        Booth House Gallery, Holmfirth, Yorkshire
1986        Castle Museum, Nottingham