Shirley Vauvelle • August 1 -29
Shirley Vauvelle multifaceted practice encompasses ceramics and painting. She is self-taught in ceramics working from a light-filled studio in her home near the coastal town of Filey. Her studio is surrounded by her ever-evolving garden, which is an integral part of her artistic process. Plants chosen for their form and texture not only inspire her but are frequently incorporated into her work.
She earned a BA (Hons) in Textile and Surface Design from Leicester Polytechnic in 1987 and this background in textiles remains an influence in her current work. She perceives a significant overlap between painting and ceramics, exploring texture, colour, and form. Her practice often involves incorporating found materials to create playful component pieces inspired by creatures, birds, and plants.
Her ‘Carrier Beasts,’ were the first forms to emerge from the concept of a tribe of creatures. She is also influences by primitive sculpture and spends a lot of time sketching at the Pitt Rivers Museum; in particular, drawing inspiration from the collections of fetishes and Inuit carvings. These influences are evident in the symbolic and structural aspects of her pieces.