The students from Carmarthen are getting ready to show at new designers next week, part 1. Come and see us at stand CG12.

Lets big it up for creativity and makers.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY

Kirsty Prior a Coleg Sir Gar ceramic graduate is showcasing her work at New Designers at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street N1, London between 27^th & 30^th June.


I create figurative ceramic sculptures representing and evoking native wild animals. Many of the pieces are a cathartic expression of the sadness felt about witnessing road-kill. This literal collision between the natural world and modernity has become strangely inspiring. Broader themes that underpin the work are the materiality, decay, destruction and rejuvenation of the natural world. The work also aims to capture some of the movement, energy and spirit of the selected creatures. In essence the work can be seen as a strange tribute and acknowledgement of both the sadness and beauty of their life and death.

The materials and processes I employ are essential to the integrity of my work. This is evident in the surface quality and methods of display in both the vitrines and Hare sculptures. I use and fire found animal bones together with handbuilt figurative clay elements, enjoying the interaction and contrast of both materials. A key element to the work is using primitive firing methods within the landscape. This process is integral to my creative practice, further embedding a sustainable and free-spirited way of working. The use of bones themselves within the actual firing and making of the sculptures have an older symbolism that references the Hare sacrificed by fire in agricultural crop stubble burning. 

Billey Tilley a Coleg Sir Gar ceramic graduate is showcasing her work at New Designers at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street N1, London between 27^th & 30^th June.

'I make ceramic functional tableware and sculptures based on the vessel and natural forms.Through these I explore the nature of intimacy, those intuitive decisions we make to cross boundaries and make connections between our inner self and the outer world. Such experiences leave an imprint upon us all, changing who we are and the world. My recent work explores the profound emotional archaeology of the family, and the tender sparkling space of friendships. Vessels are such evocative forms, suggesting, among other things, the idea of an offering and the invisible hands that might make such a gesture. Within this is the notion of life experienced on a uniquely personal, human scale. Porcelain is ideal for expressing fragility when newly thrown. Once fired in a kiln, however, its plasticity is transformed into a material of uncommon strength and beauty. Similarly, human vulnerability experienced during a deep connection with another lover, child or friend is transformed into memories that endure and become precious. The history of studio pottery forms part of a rich combination of source material, particularly the contemplative and beautiful ceramics of Lucie Rie and Rupert Spira. My forms and glazes reflect the natural world, the intensified imagery of Black & White and Technicolor films, natural forms gathered from the landscape, and ancient cave art. A range of my work can be seen at www.billeyceramics.co.uk  

Dan Hutton a Coleg Sir Gar ceramic graduate is showcasing his work at New Designers at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street N1, London between 27^th & 30^th June.

Using the qualities of porcelain combined with light I produce handbuilt ceramic sculptures, vessels and lighting that represent the human soul. I aim to make evocative sculptural forms and vessels that possess an ethereal quality and other-worldly beauty.

Inspiration is drawn from both the physical and metaphysical worlds. Many faiths believe the human soul is an embodiment of a person’s spiritual identity in this world and beyond. I combine cross-cultural ideas about the soul, with physiological references to the human heart. I fuse these ideas with references to natural objects such as seashells and crustaceans.

John Ritchie a Coleg Sir Gar ceramic graduate is showcasing his work at New Designers at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street N1, London between 27^th & 30^th June.


'I create abstract ceramic sculptures inspired by architecture and the phenomenon of entropy. The making process begins by producing casts from architectural salvage, then constructing sculptures from handmade ceramic elements. I aim to draw the viewer into an aesthetic and social conversation about the material world we construct and deconstruct. Through complex layering of ceramic objects, surfaces and images the sculptures point towards the social and cultural irony at play within our built and rural landscapes.'

Valerie Price West a Coleg Sir Gar ceramic graduate is showcasing her work at New Designers at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street N1, London between 27^th & 30^th June.

Valerie makes ceramic sculptures that feature combined figurative and abstract elements expressing personal poetic narratives. The work displays complex and seductive surfaces inspired by both seascapes and landscape.

‘Whether I'm out there rowing, long distance walking or riding my horse, I observe my surroundings and feel part of it. Wales has extreme, compelling terrains that are both beautiful and challenging. I try to capture this in my sculptures which themselves have been technically challenging to make’

Gale Lewis a Coleg Sir Gar ceramic graduate is showcasing her work at New Designers at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street N1, London between 27^th & 30^th June.
 

Gale creates both ceramic vessels and photographic images that respond and capture the West Wales coast. The work is often fired on the beach using flotsam and jetsam as both inspiration and material to fuel the primitive firing method.

‘My current work is inspired by a series of meditative walks, during which I observe and contemplate my natural surroundings and how we as people interact with them. Considering not only the physical but also the philosophical nature of life. The vessels draw these concepts, thoughts and discoveries together. Natural, recycled and man-made materials are used in combination to demonstrate the potential for harmony and beauty in our relationship with our surroundings. The work is about mindfulness and taking the time to think deeply, each vessel is designed as container or sanctuary for one’s thoughts.’

Paulina Stafska a Coleg Sir Gar ceramic graduate is showcasing her work at New Designers at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street N1, London between 27^th & 30^th June.

Paulina is a Polish born UK based ceramic designer-maker who creates tactile functional tableware and interior crafted products displaying simple shapes and interesting textures.

The simplicity of Paulina’s style is a reflection of the influences from her Polish upbringing – the cultural connections from her past are reflected in her ceramic designs, particularly in her tableware.  Paulina’s high-fired translucent porcelain lighting range combines texture and colour in a pure and understated way celebrating the materiality of porcelain. 

Great news, Katie Owen BA2 Ceramics & Jewellery student at Coleg Sir Gar wins Pewter Live 2012 competition in London. Congratulations Katie it is well deserved and a really prestigious National competition to win.

Coleg Sir Gar Foundation Art & design show is now up and well worth a visit to Carmarthen. There is some great 3D work including ceramics, jewellery furniture design etc. Lowry Davies has put on a mature and engaging body of enamelled jewellery based on a real medical case study about a young man hit by a van. Lowry made a series of dog tags, which plot his recovery forming a fascinating body of work.