Bio - Vanessa Burley
I am originally from Berkshire and studied a BA (Hons) degree in 3 Dimensional Design at Manchester, working with wood, metal, ceramics and glass. I spent 30 years as an Art, Textiles and Product Design teacher, whilst continuing to make my own work.
I am currently working with toasted stoneware, using a combination of wheel and hand-built techniques, to manipulate and distort the clays.
My glazed ‘Shipwreck’ pots and vessels are thrown on the wheel, then textures are added before reshaping each pot on the wheel using heat and additional clay. Unintentional holes, slits and uneven edges give each pot it’s individuality.
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'I enjoy the unpredictability of the clay and texture as I manipulate it into sculptural and functional ceramics. I create my own textures from objects found on my travels and then finish the pots off with exciting metallic and ocean-coloured glazes, which enhance the textures.'
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Shipwreck pots
From an early age, I have always been fascinated by dramatic textures and colour tones in nature, and this consistently comes through in my work.
The inspiration for my ‘Shipwreck Pots’ textures and glaze colours stem from many periods of my life. My parents were antique collectors and restorers, and as a child, I was surrounded by a rich palette of colours - from heavily textured wooden furniture to ceramics steeped in history. I was especially fascinated by eroded colours, patinas and textures, often asking myself: 'What stories could these antiques tell?'
Much of my life has also been spent walking on rocky beaches and exploring barnacled rockpools, mesmerised by the sea's ability to sculpt stone in countless ways. Looking out to sea, l often imagine a hidden world of undiscovered relics.
I use toasted stoneware clay and then add textures from natural objects such as rocks and shells, as well as from plastic items sadly washed ashore, evoking the sense of a once-beautiful pot lifted from the seabed after many years.
Over several days, I encourage the clay body to split and crack using different heat treatments.
The glaze layers then create crystalline surfaces, crawling effects, lava-like eruptions, and finishes with light and depth with the irresistible urge to touch.
Contact
I always have new pots fresh from the kiln. Please contact me if you would like to ask questions or FaceTime me to see my existing collection.