FORM - Contemporary Scottish Ceramics

Featuring Iain Campbell, Jeanne Blissett Robertson and Moyra Stewart.

This exhibition seeks to explore key themes at the heart of Scottish contemporary ceramics, which are shared by the three exhibiting artists. There is a strong common response to our unique Scottish landscape, a deep sense of wonder at the wider natural world, and a connection with the materials the artists use to produce their work.

The artists exhibiting in Form come from three different areas of Scotland, but all cite the landscape as a rich source of inspiration. Campbell and Stewart invite you to consider the space which is formed between their works when they are displayed.

This interest in ‘the space between’, comes from a reverence of the happy accidents found in nature; such as the patterns created by ploughed fields, the tidal designs left by the sea on a beach, and the negative spaces between trees in forests. These are small yet precious patterns, patinas and details which the artists draw upon to make their work. In this way, artists and makers have used naturally occurring patterns all over the world for centuries – from Japanese woodblock prints to William Morris wallpaper.

All three artists are inspired by stone; a breath taking and important feature of the Scottish landscape; no place more so than the UNESCO North West Highlands Geopark. They are linked by a desire to create work which looks natural and ancient; art that would not look out of place on the shore of a loch, or the floor of a forest.

We hope you enjoy this taste of Scottish contemporary ceramics. To find out more and to explore the work of further makers visit www.scottishpotters.org

Works available to purchase. If interested in a particular piece or for more info please contact mhairi@antallasolais.org

Iain Campbell

Campbell’s work draws on the beaches, hills, stones and trees around Morray, on the East Coast of Scotland.

The collection displayed in this exhibition was made in response to a Wintery visit to Assynt, in Sutherland. Campbell enjoys the spaces between his objects, and the relationships which are formed within groups of work.

The pieces are made with ‘grogged’ stoneware, this process adds fired and ground up clay to the pre-fired clay mixture, the resulting work is highly textured. Campbell also uses ‘Terra Sigillta’ in smoke firing, an ancient technique which literally translates as ‘sealed earth’, and Raku – a low heat firing technique, originally from Japan.

Works from each grouping are available to purchase individually. Prices start at £95. Please contact mhairi@antallasolais.org to purchase.

Jeanne Blissett Robertson

The work in this display was produced whilst Robertson was on a residency funded by Arts Council England at An Talla Solais’ Ceramic’s Studio, Ullapool, in March of 2022. Robertson was influenced by the Metamorphic rocks in the local area. These rocks have undergone a transformation brought on by extreme temperature or pressure changes. Working with a combination of naturally occurring imagery, and man-made symbols such as clock hands and mechanical cogs, these sculptures take on a playful, creature-like quality.

As part of her Arts Council England funded programme, Robertson was introduced to working with salt-glazing by Stuart Edinbane at Edinbane Pottery, Isle of Skye. The process involves throwing salt into a kiln during the higher temperatures of a firing. The salt then interacts with the clay in the kiln and creates a unique glaze.

Robertson hopes the work will provoke the viewer into considering our interactions and relationships with nature.

Interlocking Crystals - price upon request. Salt-glazed works - £250 each. Please contact mhairi@antallasolais.org to purchase.

Moyra Stewart

Stewart’s work is a response to the natural world – the shadows in forests cast through trees, the shape of mountains and hills, the lines of ploughed fields, and the patterns and textures found on rocks.

Stewart’s pieces evolve organically, like objects from the natural world – which are shaped through factors such as wind or light. The ceramics are intended to feel alive and vibrant.

“I want to create organic shapes and work that feels almost as though it was not created by a person, so much as it was brought to life by some force of nature.”

Stewart has been inspired by the study of stone and rock, both in it’s natural form, and after manipulation by humans – such as standing stones - whose presence and historical mystery Stewart admires.

Prices start from £50. Please contact mhairi@antallasolais.org for more information and to purchase.