Shirley Smith

Collected stones and pebbles inform my current work. Using traditional hand building techniques and a variety of clays I construct simple, tactile vessels with surfaces that emulate the smooth and the weatherworn. Experimental use of slips and glazes create finishes that range from highly polished to cracked and crazed. Repetitive patterns seen on a shingle beach or the marks found on an individual stone appear inscribed in sgraffito or water etched into the clay body. The unpredictability of smoke firing, obvara and horsehair raku are used for their ability to give subtle and unique markings. Monochromatic colours unify the pieces into a cohesive collection.