After the Show 15

from Emerging Potters magazine issue 26 January to March 2022

We Are Makers 26

Nico Conti

Anecdote of Home and Porcelain, 2021

“Growing up in Malta meant that I often found myself surrounded by family and tradition. After studying abroad, I've grown to appreciate what my home has to offer. Childhood memories from here are where I draw most of my inspiration from. I tend to look at things that have certain elegance and beauty. Maltese lace, cathedrals, and urchins are recurring themes around which I make my art. I express this through the process of clay 3D printing. I alter the uniformity of clay printing and push porcelain to unexplored territories. Through experimentation I am able to find new ways to use a material with such a rich history”.

MA Ceramics and Glass, Royal College of Art (2019)

Nico Conti will take up a residency at Staffordshire University. https://www.nicoconti.com

Bristol Clay

‘Bristol Clay’ is another exciting new group of women ceramic artists and makers who held their first exhibition during November 2021. All of them were coming from different starting points and experiences, but they all have a shared passion for exploring the limitless possibilities of clay.

The exhibition explored the versatility of the ceramic genre. From vessels thrown on the potter's wheel, to hand built sculpture, from earthenware to stoneware and raku. Each maker has her own individual approach to ceramics, meaning every piece of work is unique and demonstrates the infinite possibilities and approaches.

The proceeds from cups made for the Private View at the show went to Art Refuge, a local charity supporting displaced people through art making and art therapy. The show made £500 for charity, with 800 visitors during the two weeks it was on. Centrespace Gallery where the show was held is situated in the heart of the old city of Bristol, which can be found down the narrow graffitied walls of Leonard Lane.

Jessica Thorn commented, “In the future, and moving on forward from the exhibition, we see Bristol Clay becoming more of a collective, with others being able to join.

As lots of us feel that being a potter can be such a joy but also if you are working from home it can be isolating, as a group we are aiming to build a supportive community of potters and ceramists in Bristol.

For more information follow Bristol Clay on Instagram and sign up to the Facebook event.