Ceramics
Ian’s hand built sculptural work is in paper clay fired to cone 5 which can take several days to construct. An underlying base vase-like or slab pot has added slices of textured clay plus incised lines. Hat or house-like structures regularly complete the top. When bisqued, the work is oxided and rinsed off, then sprayed with slips, and glazes (that don’t mature); often 3 or more firings. This is to achieve a mixture of a painterly plus graphic drawing surface effect. There are also pieces which are wall hung mosaics or plates depicting landscapes or portrait-like figures. Smaller works include wall hung imaginative, decorative fish and small highly textured vases.
About The Artist
Ian has recently relocated back to the UK from New Zealand and is setting up a workshop studio in New Milton, Hampshire. He originally trained as an Art Teacher in Western Australia specialising in ceramics and drawing. In New Zealand Ian further learnt under his stepfather Charles Holmes, a well-known hand builder in Coromandel. His main career has been education at secondary, adult, and tertiary level with ceramics being something he did part time for his own pleasure; a few outlets, group and major exhibitions. After being a member of a craft cooperative, Ian was an art/design lecturer in an undergraduate program, specialising in Basic Design, and the language of critique in relation to design. Later, he was a studio tutor for in ceramics diploma focusing on, design and critique language. Ian has had work accepted in major NZ exhibitions; Portage, and Waiclay.
