I have been working in clay for over 30 years, making work for sale, exhibition and retail. I have taught in a variety of institutions including Central St Martins and University of Brighton as well as commissions from the Liverpool Biennial and consultant to Turner Prize winners, Assemble.
In 2014 I set up a ceramics studio called Baltic Clay which is situated in Liverpool. This studio provides ceramic classes for beginners and drop in access for enthusiastic potters.
My work strives to discover patterns and structures in architecture, nature and art. From Medieval cathedral floor plans, lace work and brutalist architecture, I find a lifelong obsession emerges from looking at the similarities in repeated forms from across the ages. My work tries to convey a sense of time through layered and distressed surfaces, simple forms and colours. I carefully choose coloured stoneware clays that reference building materials of the past like brick, concrete and blackened wood. I create component parts from extruded, printed, stamped and inlaid stoneware clays and assemble them in either freestanding or wall mounted pieces.
For Collect 2024, I am making a series of 13 ceramic wall panels that are based on a trip that I made to Dungeness in the 1990’s when I lived in Brighton. Dungeness was home to Derek Jarman whose films and art played an important part in my life, showing me that queer life could be difficult, beautiful and magical.
Email itschristurrell@hotmail.com
Follow me on Instagram on CTWCeramics.
Crafts Council Directory of Makers link here
Biog
March 1 -3rd 2024 New work at Collect 2024, Somerset House, London
April 7- 10th 2022 New work at Ceramic Art London, Granary Square, London
July - August 2021 FORM- group show, three pieces selected for Highgate Contemporary Gallery, The Chocolate Factory, London
June 2021 In the Window, solo show of new work at Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool
December 2020 Potters On Pots feature in the January- February 2021 edition of Ceramic Review
Sept 2020 In the Window, solo show of new work for Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool
Oct 2019 Wonderbeast selected by CPA committee for the 10th Yixing International Ceramic Art Fair, China
Oct 2018 Awarded Selected Membership for the Craft Potters Association
April - September 2018 Creative Rage opens at the Potteries Museum in Stoke on Trent with new piece, Don't Look at Me
October- November 2017 New piece made for the group show, "Creative Rage" at The Gallery, Liverpool
July 2016 Commissioned by Liverpool Biennial to fabricate ceramic pieces for international artist Jumana Manna for Tate Liverpool
January- March 2016 Ceramic Consultant to Assemble- advice and process development for their ceramic handles range
September - January 2013 AA2A Residency at Hope University. Exhibition at Capstone Gallery with work developed through the residency
July 2012 Large scale ceramic and glass wall panel for Sheldrakes Restaurant in Wirral. Made with Leandra Holder