Jan Lewis-Eccleston

I create individual pieces, the inspirations for which come from myths, literature, observed natural phenomena, and from the character of the clay itself.

Fish remain a constant source of inspiration. They belong, literally, to another world and were present long before we came along to upset the balance. By contrast, I am also exploring a range of ships & boats, often inspired by illustrations found in medieval manuscripts. These frequently include the fish below the waves by which the ships are supported, giving an indication of the relationship between the two worlds. I have been using a mixture of copper & manganese oxides applied to textured and drawn areas to create a metallic graphite quality, producing a largely monochromatic palette, and what could be described as three-dimensional drawings.

Recently I have been exploring the use of sgraffito through a slip made from black clay applied to a white body: inspired by finds of fossilized fish in ancient rocks, the images produced are aiming to convey the timeless, other-world quality of these species that we all take for granted and assume are there to be exploited

Media: Ceramics

Price Range: £50 to £500

Web Address: http://www.janlewis-ecclestonceramics.co.uk

Email: Janlewis_eccleston@yahoo.co.uk