Artist Statement:
I am a Scottish ceramic artist based in the south side of Glasgow. My current practice is defined by my distinctive use of color, shape and striking compositions which I explore through their surface application to functional ware, decorative wall art and paper collage.
My use of colored enamel decals as surface decoration onto glazed ceramic surfaces on both slip cast forms and readymade tile, is a process I have honed through much experimentation, and one which I continue to find inspiring. With a keen eye for detail and a strong command of composition, my work often incorporates graphic elements and references to 3D surface patterns, adding a multidimensional quality to my 2D panels.
The slip casting process allows me to create multiple pieces, each presenting itself as a new blank canvas from which to create a unique object through its surface. On occasion I have tried to create identical multiples, but when applying the pattern by hand it is impossible to make every piece the same. This is an aspect of working in clay and decals that I embrace as it ensures that each piece is familiar but has its own unique characteristics.
Artist Bio:
Glasgow-based artist Laura Lightbody is a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art specializing in contemporary ceramics. Primarily using enamel decals, Laura creates bold patterns and compositions on both geometric slip-cast forms and blank tile surfaces. Through a confident use of color, shape, line and pattern Laura creates individual pieces which stand alone yet often also sit well within a curated group. Architecture and the everyday landscape are a constant source of inspiration from which Laura draws and creates unique compositions that reflect the built environment.
Laura has exhibited her work in several solo and group shows including the UK, Iceland, and the USA. A graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, Laura studied under Bill Brown and Archie McCall, where she discovered her love of slip-casting, and the endless possibilities ceramic decals can provide. Over the years Laura has honed her craft and has been awarded several opportunities to develop her skills including an Emerging Craft residency at Cove Park, Scotland, and funding from Glasgow City Council to support a solo exhibition in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Laura looks forward to working at the Philadelphia Clay studio immensely and plans to develop a series of compositions in various scales and forms whilst researching a new urban landscape that will in turn be developed into a future body of work.
