Clare Stephens creates vessels which have dialogue with each other, and their surroundings, encouraging interaction visually and by touch.

Presence or ‘being-with’ is integral to her interaction with environment, clays, objects, and others with whom she connects. While making, Clare connects with and appreciates clays materiality, and tacit knowledge from countless generations of ceramicists. This is enhanced by her use of varied clays, slips, glazes, making and firing techniques, to express ideas and values.

Combining technical, material knowledge and form is timeless, reflecting societies and cultures which themselves are constantly evolving or developing. This constant flux is also reflected in our environment, countryside and coastline. Interacting with clay, coming from our earth, illustrates constant change in our environment as well as relationships and societies.

Responding, respecting, appreciating our environment, Clare feels parallels how we need to respond and value each other, and diversity of all cultures. These values parallel aspects within her previous midwifery career, explored during a Ceramics and Makers MA in 2023, which provides wholeness to her work.

 This stoneware piece and the other two accompanying vases are wheel thrown and altered during the making process. The shape and texture are suggesting natural movement, ebb and flow from the sea and wind. Grasses and foliage grow and are in turn affected by sea breezes, timeless yet in constant change, ever being adapted with local as well as global forces. These pieces illustrate interconnection between all aspects of nature, the natural world and our emotional response to the immediate environment.

 Stoneware Ceramic

12x16x12cm