I will be taking part in a two-person exhibition along with ceramic artist Vivienne Sillar, celebrating and featuring the work created so far as part of our current collaboration. We will also be showing wide selection of our individual work. Do pop in to browse, chat or buy.
Working collaboratively has been a real adventure - a voyage of discovery.
We both wanted our collaboration to extend and influence our current practice. It is true to say that this target has definitely been reached.
Jill was interested in developing a more abstract and spontaneous use of mark making and colour while Vivienne wanted to introduce colour into her work and understand the ways to use it effectively.
We employed coloured clay slips as our vehicle and decided to both stick to a cylinder form for our interpretations. We wanted to see how the coloured slips could be used in a variety of ways. Both of us are fascinated by trees and the collection of cylinders is our own clay 'forest'.
During the process we have been to each others studios/ houses several times and explored clay and colour and realised there is so much more that can be achieved. We have shared ideas, opinions and soup recipes. It has been the most rewarding experience that we have both valued.
The work you see in this display is only the beginning - however we wanted you to see the first steps on our journey and how far we have come from the first experiment. It takes time to develop new themes.
It's easy to stick to tried and tested methods - much more challenging (and rewarding) to try something new.
It feels like Pandoras Box has been opened, there is no going back now.
Vivienne Sillar and Jill Ray
April 2025
For more information contact jill@jillraylandscapes.co.uk or viviennesillar@gmail.com and see more of Vivienne’s work at viviennesillarceramics.co.uk