Contemporary Ceramic Artists We are now going to look at contemporary work in ceramics. We will first look at how to go about writing about a piece of work that we have not seen before. We will then go on to choosing an artist and writing about them individually, as we did with Clarice Cliff. Finally, you will choose a piece of work by your selected artist to write about, as you did with Clarice Cliff.

Writing frame S – make a statement which gives your opinion about the piece E – explain what you mean E – give an example of this in the piece, to prove what you are saying is true Example: S - I think this piece is inspired by geometric shapes. E - I can see that circles, parallel lines and smooth sharp edges are all important features of this design. E - This can be seen in the cylindrical shape of the vase and the diagonal parallel lines travelling around it.

Emma Williams contemporary english ceramicist Williams’ handcrafted decorative ceramics are inspired by the natural world. She creates items for the interior using fossils, coral, handmade stamps and tools to make impressions in the clay; layers of oxide and blue matt glaze are then fired onto the work. www.ew-ceramics.co.uk

Sgraffitto vases, 2009, porcelain. Anna Sykora founded her porcelain workshop 1991 in Berlin. She was convinced that – apart from a high standard of design – the sensual perception of her vessels would be of great importance. This is why the vessels are not cast in moulds as usual, but thrown on the potter’s wheel. There are only few kinds of porcelain clay which allow this technique, which demands finely honed technical skills and great concentration. http://www.anna-sykora.de/english/konzept.html Sgraffitto vases, 2009, porcelain.

SANDRA BLACK (b.1950) Sandra Black is renowned for her delicate pierced and carved porcelain forms. They are not functional but are beautiful. Inspired by nature, Sandra combines abstract and organic shapes to decorate her bowls and vessels. Evocative of lace, each porcelain form features a cut-out design, whereby negative space and areas of high relief create the decoration. Instead of glazes, Sandra relies on the polished surfaces of the clay to show the carving and piercing to their best advantage. http://www.artists-worldwide.net/artists/ceramics/black_sandra.htm