Kirsti Hannah Brown

Inspired by a love of Western Celtic shorelines and the sea, I hand built ceramic vessels. Shapes are figurative featuring vivid turquoise glaze that reflects the influence of the sea and landscape; or tactile, washed pebble forms.

I begin the process with drawings of landscapes, shorelines and pebbles. Working through ideas using developmental sketches and experimentations in clay.

The pieces are fired to stoneware temperature and feature a dry turquoise glaze. I use a variety of textured clays from a dark red, toasted buff to a white firing clay, all of which react in various ways altering the depth of colour in the glaze. Also the application of slips, sgraffito and resist techniques add further depth to the surfaces.

The most recent body of work has been developed from drawings of ancient objects, tools and rock carvings found in coastal regions of Wales and Scotland. I am intrigued by the mystery surrounding these carvings and the fact that humans have always had a desire to leave their creative mark.

My first workshop was set up in 1996 in Chester after graduating in 1993 from the BA Hons Crafts course at Crewe and Alsager College. My work has been displayed in galleries across the UK from the Isles of Scilly to the Shetland Isles.

I now work from my home in North Wales, am a member of the Maker’s Guild of Wales and regularly take part in Helfa Gelf open studios and have been involved with the running of the event.

I have lectured in 3D Design within further education, delivered workshops for the Bluecoat Display Centre Outreach programme and for Ruthin Craft Centre.