My love and appreciation of the horse is derived from an association of over 50 years as an owner rider, trainer, competitor and judge.  A severe injury I sustained while riding about ten years ago led to a need for a new focus.  I replaced my passion for riding with a passion for ceramics. I use coiling and modeling techniques to develop my forms; additional decorative elements such as screen print transfers, impressions, layered slips and glazes to create unique surface textures and colours to develop a narrative.

The horse has often been used as a metaphor for psychology, culture and sexuality.  My ceramic sculptures engage these issues.  The work references feminine connections with horses through the relationship of the shape of vessels/forms and their decorative elements. It is an ongoing exploration into these ideas using the expressive and plastic qualities of clay to explore personal interpretations of many aspects of the human horse relationship.

In 2005, while working as an artist-in-residence at Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute in Jingdezhen I had the opportunity to observe the horse in Chinese ceramic art. I discovered the wonderful Tang dynasty ceramic horses, many of which line the spirit paths of ancient Chinese tombs.  The horse has featured in art for over 30,000 years, its cultural significance, expressive qualities and symbolic reference has inspired my work.

My ‘fat’ and ‘thin’ horses are essentially lidded vessels made from many types of clay, often with inclusions that make the finished work lighter.  The saddles can be removed to reveal a container which is elevated on short ‘lotus bud’ legs or sits on a vessel-style base.  My sculptural work references the symbolic significance of the horse within cultures.  They refer to many  social, political and/or cultural experiences as well as my own personal life experiences.

Bare Bones Art Space Bangalow: www.barebonesartspace.com.au

Art Aspects Gallery Lismore:  www.artaspectsgallery.com.au 

Maria Elena Kravetz Gallery, Cordoba, Argentina: www.mariaelenakravetzgallery.com

2008 - Bachelor Visual Arts – Southern Cross University Lismore

2003 - Diploma of Ceramics – TAFE Northern Rivers, Lismore

2010 - Spirited Horses Grafton Regional Gallery 7th July – Sunday 29th August 2010

2009 - Spring Carnival, Northern Rivers Community Gallery Ballina

2008 - Spirit of Yangzhou’s Horses, Wattling Galleries Southport

2005 - Impressions - Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute, Jingdezhen, China

2010 - Border Art Prize Exhibition, Tweed River Art Gallery 3 December 2010 - 23 January 2011.

2010 - SOFA Chicago  November  5-7.

2010 - Swallowing Clouds Northern Rivers Communities Gallery Ballina, September 4th – Oct 10th .
2010 - International Ceramic Artist Exhibition & Workshop Gangjin, South Korea August 7-20.
2009 - Post Cards  Alumni Exhibition, Next Gallery SCU, Lismore
2008 - Guardians of Empress Wu, Art & Culture Exhibition, Byron Bay 
FEHVA 48 hrs of Art Bangalow A&I Hall – 
FEHVA 48 hrs of Art Bangalow A&I Hall – 
Footprints – NEXT Art Gallery, Southern Cross University, Lismore  
Stanthorpe Art Prize Exhibition - Stanthorpe Art Gallery, Stanthorpe
2007 - Transition  Graduation Show Southern Cross University, Lismore

 Diversity Dialogues: - The Alleyway Gallery –Lismore
2004 - Regional Treasures – ‘Pamela’ Lismore Regional Gallery, Lismore NSW 

 ‘Bowl’d & Beautiful’ –‘3 Colours Ash’- Ceramic Art Gallery, Paddington

2003 - Thursday Plantation Sculpture Show - 'Tree of Life'

2001 - Thursday Plantation Sculpture Show – Student Art Prize ‘Rosa a horse drama’

2010 - Ceramics Today, Jeffrey B. Snyder, Editor.  (ISBN: 9780764334658), p.66.

2009 - Ceramic Art & Perception, Vol. 76 pp. 76-77.  ‘Guardians of Empress Wu’ written by Louise Fulton: www.ceramicart.com.au/

2009 - Craft Arts International Vol. 76 Portfolio p.118: www.craftarts.com.au/aboutus.asp