Starworks Residency in North Carolina, USA

This Crowdfunder will support attendance at world leading Ceramics Studio and Clay production facility, StarWorks USA, for which I have been selected as 1 of 11 annual global residents.

This provides a unique opportunity to expand & enrich my practice through exploring the local geology & fauna and developing a new body of work in response to new landscapes. Through the residency I will engage with local potters and broaden my knowledge through their expertise and traditions. This will have a great impact on my practice, expanding my skill set and pushing my work with new techniques and access to facilities such as wood fired kilns. I will continue my journey through an exploration into local clays & wild glazes, wood ash, and rocks and the creation of a unique collection of work that reflects the area's natural resources and enhances my material understanding. Document and photograph the journey in a formal research manner, sharing this for the benefit of Scotland’s ceramics community.

About me

I am a ceramic artist based in Glasgow, Scotland. After graduating with a BA (hons) in Ceramics and Glass from Gray’s School of Art in 2017, I had the opportunity to work for Maria de Haan in Mallorca, Spain as her Intern (2017), and Studio Assistant (2021). Following my return to Scotland, I developed my practice inspired by the surrounding Scottish landscape. From collecting wild clay for slip work, to advancing my understanding on ash and rock glazes utilising locally sourced materials, my creative practice is centred on themes of the temporal, the natural and the spatial.

My work consists of simple, but strong forms which contrasts skill and refinement, with experimental surface finishes. I am driven by a desire to create elegant, functional work whilst simultaneously crafting unique vessels. The temporal element of my practice; utilising wild clay from places such as my mum’s back garden, to the banks of the River Kelvin, and granites collected from Sanna Bay, the most westernly points of the country, ensures that each piece is truly unique. I utilise this approach throughout my work, from mugs, to larger vessels, meaning that my practice is accessible to a wider range of price points.

Research and development are integral to my practice. I'm interested in learning the materials behaviour, and when working with new ingredients I test as to whether it is best suited for form, or function through several firings and tests. I allow the material to dictate the work, from granite piercing through porcelain bodies, to beautifully unique glaze defects, my less functional, more artistic pieces allow the material to rebel and speak for themselves. Whereas my more functional pieces, such as dinner sets, quaichs and everyday mugs bring artistic.

Now set up in Glasgow, I have my own studio space In the east end of the city and work for Govanhill Baths Ceramics in the Southside. 

Why have I started this Crowdfunded?

Over the last 6 months, I have applied to several funding bodies with very little success. realising getting funding is getting hard and time is getting more limited for me to successful find the money to do this residency. With several rejections and minimum feedback, I felt I needed to get help from a wider community so this is why I've decided to take it in my own hands. This is why with a range of rewards, I seek your help to get me to America and allow me to develop and research my work. 

Where would the funds go to and how much roughly?

First of all, the flights which from Glasgow to Greensboro would cost roughly £1300-£1400.

Accommodation is 600 dollars for the 2 months, staying at a house StarWorks provide.

Kiln usage could cost between £200-500 ( as low as £200 but there is a large fee to use the wood fire kiln)

Basic materials cost could range from £100-150 over the 2 months. 

Living cost - £400-600 a month

I am fully aware I have set a target of £3000 and this doesn't cover the full amount above. I aim to put money from all sales until I leave to a side to help with the costs of being in America. What I'm asking is to help cover the larger expense.

Rewards:

Examples of expressive markings on tiles

Stoneware Mug in White (example)

Porcelain Mug in Celadon (example)

Single Stemmed vessel (example)

Porcelain Sipper (example)

Single Stemmed vessel (example)

V60 ( A piece in the coffee set collection)

Tinned Fish Boxes (example)