I graduated in 2008 and haven’t ever featured any photos of my Degree Show on my blog, so here they are!
My installation was quite a large arrangement, I had a family of 4 different sculptural vessels, a bowl, 2 framed prints and another ceramic piece which I called ‘Rocking Form’ because it had a curved base. My prints were collographs of a large printing block I had made with loads of different natural objects and patterns stuck on it, then I used the block to roll my clay onto, and piece together into organic forms.
It took ages to decide how to arrange each piece, and also where to display the plinths so that they could be walked around. I remember putting up all the wooden boards around the edge of the room and painting them all, not knowing where my work would be situated. Then when we all got told I couldn’t stop painting the walls around my space to make sure they were perfect!
Our degree show was called ‘Creo‘, which means “I create” in Latin.
These sculptural vessels look great outside. Since my degree show, I’ve entered these pieces into 2 different exhibitions – Showborough House Sculpture Garden in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire (see image of my family of sculptures at the bottom of the page), and Sculpture in the Sanctuary in Nottingham, where I sold one of the large sculptures.
Below: Mother & Father Organic Structures
Just before our degree show, we all took part in a group exhibition at The Custard Factory in Birmingham. Its a really nice venue.
The exhibition seemed to attract a wide audience, and there was a large mixture of Contemporary Crafts. We all made our own questionnaires to gain audience feedback about the work on display which turned out to be really useful.
I am really pleased with how far I have come in the past 18 months after graduating… I have my ceramics in 5 galleries with 1 new shop interested, I’ve exhibited and sold my ceramics at 11 craft fairs and international events with more booked for 2010, My work has been in 5 public exhibitions, I have had my own solo exhibition with an open day and feature in the newspaper, I took part in Open Studios, my online shop on my website is up and running, I was listed Crafter of the Month on UKCFIS newsletter, I’ve been asked to make special pieces of work as commissions, and I’ve got my own workshop where I can make anything I want, whenever I want.
I wonder what the next 18 months will bring?!
wow charlotte…..you go girl!! What a great success you have had, wishing you lots more( you wont need it though!) Heres to an even busier 2010
kazx
Hi charlotte I love your work! I'm am just about the graduate too so reading this was very informative.
Did you design your blog page yourself? It has a great layout
Regards
Nicola Crocker