Liz BoweImage Gallery

The work I produce is hand made contemporary stoneware tableware intended for everyday use. Focus is placed on function, form, mark making and surface. The surface of my pots has developed over a long period of time; forms evolve slowly yet constantly and decisively aiming to retain a strong element of tradition. I aspire to incorporate traditional skills with practical design, valuing the individuality of each piece of work produced and the practicality, use and utility. Hence each piece will work as an independent piece or part of a set. The work is tableware although I no not seek to unify the work into a regimented service.

Work generally available from:
Broughton Gallery, Broughton, Scotland
Spiral Gallery, Dawson's Yard, Settle, North Yorkshire: continually stocks work
Liz Bowe Ceramics, 10, Fishergate, Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, YO51 9AL.
(Open: 10.00am - 3.30pm Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10.00am - 4.00pm Saturday) 
Oakwood Ceramics

Other Information:
I am available to lecture, demonstrate or deliver workshops.

Pieces mainly are thrown and altered forms combining throwing and hand building, with the exception of the plates, which are thrown and altered into turned wooden sycamore moulds of my own design. This ensures an element of uniformity and control making sure each has an identical foot ring and depth, which allows for the free movement of the edges yet, still enables the plates to stack.

Glazes have been developed over many years now, I use several shino glazes, each having a different surface quality I use these in combination, building up several layers of glaze to achieve a variety of subtle variations in depth tone and surface qualities. I aim to achieve an individual response through the application and firing.

Plates are glazed with a high iron-bearing feldspathic glaze (tenmoku) which compliment the shino glazed pieces, this is applied thickly to again obtain a dark depth of colour which has the properties of breaking to tone on the marks made on the form. Many pieces of the work also include a high feldspar/lime glaze with small amounts of iron and cobalt which holds many appealing qualities, the glaze is used on the marks and detail on the forms, the glaze moves in a appealing and tactile manner, this glaze is often used in the centre of the under plates or on the inner surface of bowls to create a strong depth and contrasting surface texture.

The work is fired to cone 9/10 1280 to 1300 deg C through a reduction atmosphere.

In 2006 Maggie Barns initiated the opportunity for me to work in collaboration with Master Potter Vincent Potier in Sauve, South of France. Vincent Potier is an international prize-winning ceramicist.

I went to work in his studio during October 2006 & January and February 2008.

Vincent has worked his entire adult life with Shino Glazes on stoneware and porcelain using the same firing techniques as me.

Through exchange of ideas and techniques, I went to Sauve to clearly define the essential qualities vital to further development of both my form’s and surface treatment.

Since returning from France I am now placing more emphasis on hand built forms, the Box has always been a great interest of mine. ‘We seem to spend many years of or life in them’

Education
2000-02 Harrogate College (Huddersfield University)
1997-2000 Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds.

Qualifications
2002 Post Graduate Certificate of Education
2000 BA Hons Art & Design (First Class)

Membership:
Professional Member; Craft Potters Association