 Helen
Kemp
Ceramic Artist
HELEN KEMP was born in Falkirk and studied
Ceramics at Edinburgh College of Art from 1974 to 1978 followed by
Post-Graduate study of slip-cast work at Glasgow School of Art.
From 1979 to 1995 she worked as an art therapist as well as carrying
out community art work and projects. Since 1995, she has been
committed to making ceramics. She now lives and works in the Scottish
Borders.
"The inspiration for my work originally came
from Mexican and American folk art and Victorian
Staffordshire figures. I aim to create a whimsical
or dreamlike feeling in the work through facial expressions, body
language and sometimes with the use of narrative. There is a
gradual development of themes, with one piece leading to
another. All the work is handmodelled in earthenware clay with
underglaze decoration and transparent matt and satin glazes and gold
lustre."
Her current work includes
candlesticks, wall sconces, bowls, boxes and decorative pieces.
Awards
1997 Association for Applied Arts "Centre of Attention",
British Council, Edinburgh Exhibit awarded the Edinburgh Crystal Award
for Innovation and Craftsmanship
2002 Preston Grange Pottery Competition, First prize
Commissions
1998 St. Hilda's Primary School, Sunderland. Workshop sessions and
construction of exterior ceramic tile mural 1.9 x 1.0
metres.(Collaboration with Paul Grime).
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