Visual Arts

Glacial Moraine was formed by local artist Paul Hudson in 2005, collecting a small number of artists wanting to show work together. Primarily working in clay (but also in glass) they aim to raise the profile of ceramics as an art form - painters, sculptors and even conceptual artists seemingly stealing most of the limelight on most British art scenes.

Their first major exhibition is self-titled and sees a variety of work from 'pots' to sculptural forms and glass pieces. The artists featured are:

Sally Bradley

Leeds-based ceramicist, Sally first studied ceramics at art college in Cornwall during the 1970s. Since then she has remained committed to ceramics and continued to develop her work while also teaching ceramic evening classes and running workshops on throwing and sawdust firing.

'Black Necklace' by Sally Bradley

Although her ceramic background is rooted in the tradition of thrown, functional tableware, Sally has discarded obvious function in favour of exploring shape and texture, as applied to the traditional form of bowl and bottle.

Using a lo-tech approach, Sally makes use of a combination of hand building methods, including coiling and throwing in stoneware and porcelain clays. The finished pots are shaped and their surfaces eroded by scraping and burnishing over many hours. They are then biscuit fired and then sawdust or raku-fired to impart a special surface finish.

Paul Hudson

An ex-teacher from Leeds, Paul now works in ceramics, print and paint exploring the legacy of the English landscape. Paul is the organiser of this group. Work in this show explores a black and white double fired glazing technique.

Nick Gaunt

Recently qualified with a degree from Bradford College, Nick is working with smoke-fired and burnished forms. Rather like giant beach pebbles, his work stands as sculptural pieces.

Sally Pielow

Having recently obtained a first class degree in Fine Art from Bradford, Sally explores glass forms which are slumped and fused in a kiln. She is able to exploit the delicacy and colourful nature of glass.

Dawn Sharkey

With a degree from Edinburgh College of Art, Dawn headed off to Canada for a term at Halifax's Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Then it was back to Yorkshire, to Bradford; Dawn was awarded with a Yorkshire Craft Centre Fellowship and has spent her time improving her techniques. More recently she won a prize at the Kapfenberg Biannual in a competition for recent graduates.

Michael Welsh

Michael works at Bradford College as a technician in the ceramics department. His current work looks at the very nature of the clay and its surface qualities.

Martin Hearne

Martin teaches on the art degree course at Bradford College. Martin's work explores icons from the Dictionary of Graphic Symbols which he uses to create plans, maps and images of the world. In Constellation, "The objects symbolise planes, helicopters, raindrops, clouds, and stars - it's almost as if they've fallen from the sky,"

One or two ceramics artists from Beaver Studios in Hunslet (part of East Street Arts) will also be joining the group for this show.

Glacial Moraine's work can be viewed from Monday 5 November until Friday 30 November 2007 at Leeds Design Innovation Centre, 46 The Calls. The centre is open on weekdays from 8.45am to 5.15pm. Entry to the exhibition is free.