Artist's Statement

I produce large one-off, sculptural ceramics, handbuilt entirely by coiling clay. These ceramics are suitable for garden, courtyard or conservatory, as well as interior display.
The work is not functional, but is often related to the traditional vessel shape. Some work, however, explores form and line; never totally abstract, but derived and refined from natural objects.
A sculptor by training, I concentrate on form and texture. These textures are achieved by the building process and by the type of clay. I use several clays, the different colours and qualities provide stimulus and challenge. It is important to me not to get stale, every pot must be an adventure.

Current Work

Large-scale, one-off, sculptural pots. Entirely hand built from coils of clay for inside and outside.

Work generally available from:
Brook Street Pottery, Hay on Wye, Hereford.Tel: 01497 821070 or email: info@brookstreetpottery.co.uk (see New Work for 2012)
The Garden Gallery, Broughton, Stockbridge, Hants
Cecilia Colman Gallery, 67 St Johns Wood High Street, London NW8
Jam Eton, 81, High Street, Eton, Windsor, SL4 6AF. www.jam-eton.co.uk
ROBERT FOGELL GALLERY, 23, HIGH STREET, ST. MARTINS, STAMFORD, PE9 2LF tel: 01780-762099; info@robfogell.co.uk www.robfogell.co.uk
(see New Work for 2012)

Recent Commissions
Silver Tulip Pot"   Work commissioned by Mr. and Mrs. Denman   for their  garden at "Camers". The  work  is on display in the "White  Garden".  Camers  Gardens are open to the public at certain times. Check at www.camers.org  for details of opening days.

2010 - For an indoor pool and sauna complex in a Chinese Hotel - 5 major pieces

Technical Information

Kiln - 13 Cubic Foot Electric

At present I use:
1. G.T. Handbuilding and architectural handbuilding from Valentines professional range.
2. Earthstone Coarse Crank
3. Earthstone Terracotta Crank

They are all coarse handbuilding clays. However each has its own character and handles differently, so producing subtle changes in approach and resulting textures. Also the white, cream and red bodies help to expand my limited colour range. This is deliberate as I wish the colour to be a natural and integral part of the form; not painted on decoration I believe clay, its colours and textures, to be a beautiful material in its own right.
I use oxides and body stains (two parts) to Borax Frit (one part) with Gum Arabic as painting medium.
I mix large jugs of colour and use large paint' brushes. Therefore I need to biscuit the pots to 100CºC. first of all, to withstand all the swabbing, rubbing and scrubbing in, and wiping off they get.
My first coat is usually thin, to get the colour into all the surface nooks and crannies. After that every pot is a one off - no set rules.
I fire a second time 1195ºC - 1265ºC. The temperature depends on the clay used and colours desired. Lately I have begun to use a second colour in a third firing. Both biscuit and colour firings are slow and steady. The work is left in the kiln to cool slowly.

History

1963 - 1967 - Studied fine art at Reading University. Specialised in sculpture, after a course also covering art history, painting, printmaking and a special study of early Greek and Etruscan art and ceramics.
1967 - 1968 - Six months study in Paris, having won a French Government Scholarship. The purpose of the award was to study the human form in painting and sculpture.
1968 - 1978 - Taught art at secondary level, with special responsibility for three dimensional work.
1968 - 1978 - Began part-time studies in ceramics, inspired by the school's ceramic department.
1968 - 1978 - Made and exhibited sculpture in the Midlands during this period.
1985 - 1988 - Resumed part-time studies in ceramics.
1988 - Purchased a large kiln and set up own ceramic workshop.
2001 - Wendy is a professional member of the Craft Potters Association.

Awards

1967 - Carter Memorial Prize for Sculpture, from Reading University.
1992 - Awarded a funding grant by East Midlands Arts.
Northampton Museum and Art Gallery have purchased a piece of work for their ceramic collection. Wendy also has work in a private American collection.

Publications

1999 - Article in "Ceramics Review" November/December issue. An Artists Profile written by Lesley Jackson.
2000 - Inclusion in "Hand Building" by Michael Hardy. Published by A&C Black, April 2000.
Photograph and working methods featured in Chapter 5 on coiling.
2006 - Inclusion in "Coiling" by Micheal Hardy. Published by A&C Black.
2006 - Inclusion in "The Garden Gallery" by Rachel Bobb and John Garfield from Rookery Lane, Broughton, Stockbridge, Hampshire. (Private Publication).
2009 Editorial in Craft & Design magazine. July/August edition 2009. (issue 204) - An artists profile written by  Angie  Boyer.
2010 Article in "Craft Art International " July issue , No.79. An artist profile written by John Mathieson (including front cover reference)

Selected Exhibitions

2009 Best of the East, 16 January to 1 March
Ferrers Gallery, Leicestershire www.ferrersgallery.co.uk
2009 Selected Exhibition of London Potters, 11-26  April.
The Ice House, Holland Park, Kensington, London www.londonpotters.com
2009 Outside In, 4 April to 24 May
Craft in the Bay,  Cardiff,  Wales www.makersguildinwales.org.uk
2009 Summer Exhibition, 31 May to 25 July
The Garden Gallery, Hants www.gardengallery.uk.com
2009 Fresh Air 2009, Sculpture Show, 13 June to 4 July                      
Quenington Old Rectory,  Glos. www.freshair2009.com,
2009 Art in the Garden. 23 May to 1 November
The Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey, Hants www.hillier.hants.gov.uk
2009 Summer Exhibition, 7 June to 27 June
The Gallery Upstairs, Henley-in Arden, Warks. www.thegalleryupstairstorquil.co uk
2009 20 Potters of the Craft Potters Association, 13 June to 4 July
New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham, Surrey www.newashgate.org.uk
2009 Art in Clay, 7/8/9 August Hatfield House, Herts www.artinclay.co.uk
2009 Woodbury Studio Gallery : Clay 19 Tim Andrews Autumn exhibition - September 18, 2009 - October 11
2009 Somerset House : Origin - week one - October 06, 2009 - October 11

2008 - 'The Sculpture Show' Marle Place, Brenchley, Nr. Tonbridge, Kent (13 September - 28 September)
2008 - Art in Clay, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire (1 August - 3 August)
2008 - Earth and Fire, Rufford Park, ollerton, Nottinghamshire (28 June - 29 June)
2008 - The Garden Gallery, Rookery Lane, Broughton, Stockbridge, Hanmpshire (10 May - 26 July)
2008 - Ceramic Art London, Royal College of Art. (29 february - 2 March)
2008 - Auction at Bonhams, London in aid of Leach Restoration Fund (28 February)
2007 - The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester.   June- July, 50 th anniversary exhibition of Craft Potters Association.
2007 - The Garden Gallery ,  Broughton,  Hants. May /June/ July.  
2007 - Artspace,  Barn Galleries,  Henley-on-Thames. May/June.
2007 - Fresh Air,  Sculpture Exhibition,  Quennington,  Glos.  June/July.  
2007 - Jealous Holding,  Karin Pearse Pottery,  Coxhill, New Forest. June/July.
2007 - Art in Clay,  Hatfield  House,  Herts.  3/4/5 Aug.
2006 - Art in Clay, Hatfield House, Hertfordshire
2006 - "Showcase" at Contemporary Ceramics, Marshall St. London
2006 - The Garden Gallery, Rookery Lane, Broughton, Hampshire
2006 - Artspace, Barn Galleries, Henley on Thames
2005 - Oxford Ceramic Fair, October
2005 - Hatfield Ceramic Fair, August
2005 - Harding House Gallery, Lincoln
2005 - Quenington Sculpture Turst 'Open Air 2005" Quenington Rectory, Gloucestershire
2005 - The Gallery Upstairs at Torquil Pottery, High Street, Henley in Arden
2005 - "Living Rooms" Exhibition for Interiors, Harley Gallery, Welbeck Estate, Nr Worksop
2005 - Paddon & Paddon Gallery, 113 High Street, Eastborune
2005 - 'Art Space" Barn Galleries, Henley on Thames
2005 - St. Albans Fair (February)
2004 - "Art in Clay", Hatfield House, Herts
2004 & 2003 - "Inside Outside" Torquil, The Gallery Upstairs Henley in Arden, Warwickshire.
2004 & 2003 - "Art in the Garden", Sir Harold Hilliers Arboretum, Romsey, Hampshire.
2003 & 2002 - "Affordable Art Fair", Battersea.
2003 & 2001 - Quenington Sculpture Trust, "Fresh Air" Bi-Annual Show.
2002 - Oxford Studio Ceramics. Organised by the Craft Potters Association.
2001 & 2000 - Potato Town Studios, Great Tew, Oxon.
1993 - "Handbuilt Ceramics", Rufford Craft Centre.