Artists Statement
My studio is in Denbigh, a small town close to the coast and mountains of North Wales.
I have lived in Wales for nearly ten years although am originally from Clitheroe in Lancashire.
The inspiration for my work is derived from forms, textures and surfaces found in eroded rock, and the landscape of antiquity: architecture, culture and worship.
Making combines a number of hand-building techniques: coiling, slab-building and working from solid lumps of clay. I work both spontaneously and at other times painstakingly carving leather hard clay, attempting to imbue pattern and a sense of erosion.
Glazing involves layering reactive and eruptive materials, often very thickly, creating rich textural surfaces. This process of glazing aims to further the sense of eroded antiquity whilst simultaneously providing an exciting element of chance and uncertainty.
My work is multi-fired in both gas & electric kilns, varying the atmosphere from oxidation to heavy reduction.
Career Resume
Professional Member of The Craft Potters Association of Great Britain
Currently working as Project Manager / Designer Maker of specialist ceramic murals - Craig Bragdy Design, N.Wales. (Designing, making and glazing of large scale ceramic murals to commission, for clients in Middle East & U.S.A.)
Previous relevant experience:
2006 - 07 Exhibitions Coordinator – Ruthin Craft Centre
2003 - 06 Part–time tutor – Llandrillo College
Grant Awards
Travel Bursary to attend International Ceramics Symposium, Izmir, Turkey – Wales Arts International, (ACW & British Council)
Grant for ‘New Visual Artists’ - Arts Council of Wales
(Building of experimental prototype kiln and researching textural glazes
Grant for ‘Individual Project’ awarded by the Arts Council of Wales
Publications
The Ceramics Book,
An A–Z of 300 Ceramic Artists
ISBN 0-9523576-7-4
1st International Triennial of Silicate Arts
ISBN963 218 026 7
6th International Ceramics Symposium, (Exhibition Catalogue), Dokuz Eylul Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey
The Complete Potter (Steve Mattison), Apple Press
ISBN 1 84092 363 6
National Eisteddfod of Wales (Arts and Crafts Exhibition Catalogue.
Crefft – Issue 107
International Ceramics Festival Catalogue, (2003)
Ceramics Purchase Prize (2004)
T.V
2005 BBC2 Hampton Court Flower Show
2005 BBC1 Wales – Denbigh
Education
1998 - 99 Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Bolton Institute
1995 - 98
B.A.(Hons) 3 Dimensional Design (Ceramics)
University of Central Lancashire
1993 - 94
Foundation Course in Art & Design