New Ceramics by
Maureen
Minchin
Maureen Minchin Maureen Minchin lives on the remote Scottish peninsula of Ardnamurchan and the flora and fauna of her wilderness surroundings have been a great inspiration for her superbly drawn, hand-thrown and decorated earthenware pots. In recent years her pots have achieved high prices in auctions at Bonhams in London and her work is becoming increasingly recognised by collectors of contemporary ceramics. It is hoped that the wide range of work on show at the Castle Gallery in Inverness – from small egg cups and mugs to spectacular large bowls, jugs and tile panels – will afford everyone the opportunity to purchase their own special piece. Maureen makes pots which she hopes people will delight in using but which also give a sense of the hidden natural world. Each piece is hand-painted earthenware and all sizes are approximate.
The entire exhibition can be viewed on the Castle Gallery’s website at: www.castlegallery.co.uk
Cover: Hare Small Formal Bowl Hare Standard Mug Hare Small Bowl 5(h) X 20(w) cm
9(h) X 14(w) cm
5(h) X 8.5(w) cm
Mallard Large Framed Tile (9 squares) 44(h) X 44(w) cm
Technique Maureen’s domestic pots are thrown in terracotta clay. Sprigs of impressed clay and handles are attached and, when leather hard, they are then dipped in a cream slip. Once a pot is firm again the slip is drawn into with a sharp tool (sgraffito technique) and left to dry. After being fired to 950°C the pots are decorated with underglaze colours, glazed and gloss fired to 1140°C under light reduction.
Detail of Long Framed Tile
Studio - Bird Lover Maureen’s purpose built studio looks out onto her small holding where she grows fruit and vegetables. From her window she glimpses the constantly changing array of wild birds at the feeder and her own domesticated geese and ducks wandering around the yard. This environment provides the perfect setting for the creation of her work.
Goldfinch Long Framed Tile (5 squares) 22(h) X 66(w) cm
Goldcrest Flared Mug front and back 8.5(h) X 13.5(w) cm
Goldcrest Standard Mug front and back 9(h) X 14(w) cm
Goldfinch Tall Mug front and back 13.5(h) X 13(w) cm
Goose Tall Mug 13.5(h) X 13(w) cm
Goose Flared Mug 9.5(h) X 12(w) cm
Goose Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w)
Goldfinch Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w) cm
Gannet Cream Jug, front and back, 10.5(h) X 12.5(w) cm
Coastal - Ardnamurchan Maureen is inspired by the seascape, landscape and wildlife around her in Ardnamurchan. She likes to live and work in relative isolation reflecting her surroundings in decorated earthenware pottery. Her beautiful, free flowing drawings distil the qualities of these open spaces and coastal habitats in clear bright colours.
Puffin Small Sprigged Vase front and back 10(h) X 9(w) cm
Selection of Egg Cups, 7(h) X 6.5(w) cm
Puffin Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w) cm
Gannet Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w) cm
Gannet Tall Mug front and back 13.5(h) X 13(w) cm
Gannet Coffee Mug front and back 8.5(h) X 12.5(w) cm
Gannet Standard Mug front and back 9.(h) X 14(w) cm
Pine Martin Framed Tile, 21.5(h) X 21.5(w) cm
Highland Wildlife A move from Suffolk to the Highlands of Scotland in 2000 changed the direction of Maureen’s work as she began to focus on a new landscape and incorporate new creatures into her designs. The mighty stag, golden eagle, capercaillie, otter and salmon all feature prominently on her pots.
Stag Vase front and back 17.5(h) X 19(w) cm
Stag Large Wavy Jug front and back 27(h) X 21(w) cm
Hare Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w) cm
Badger Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w) cm
Hare Standard Mug front and back 9(h) X 14(w) cm
Mallard Standard Mug front and back 9.(h) X 14(w) cm
Hare Small Formal Bowl 5(h) X 20(w) cm
Waxwing Small Deep Bowl, from four different viewpoints, 8.5(h) X 10.5(w) cm
Detail of Jaguar Scalloped Bowl
Bolivian Wildlife Maureen is a long standing supporter of the World Land Trust, an international conservation charity which protects the world’s most biologically important and threatened habitats. One of her new collections is inspired by the abundant wildlife still found within the Beni Savanna in Bolivia and her designs include the jaguar, blue throated macaw, yacare caiman, toco toucan and giant anteater.
Jaguar Scalloped Bowl 38(d) cm
Anteater Medium Wavy Jug front and back 19(h) X 16(w) cm
Toucan Plate 3.5(h) X 21.5(w) cm
Back Page: Robin Jug front and back 12(h) X 14(w) cm
New Ceramics by Maureen Minchin
4th - 25th Oct 2014
Castle Gallery, 43 Castle St, Inverness, IV2 3DU www.castlegallery.co.uk
01463 729512