Platform Gallery 2007 Exhibitions

Corners and Curves

7th July - 1st September 2007

Ceramic sculpture by Helen Felcey and Rebecca Catterall.

A joint exhibition featuring work by two ceramic artists that complements each other through contrast. Rebecca Catterall's sculptural forms constructed from many small geometric blocks sit alongside Helen Felcey's sensuous, finely cast bone china objects. Both artists have developed their own ceramic techniques to construct their work, reflecting the relationship we have with the environment around us.

Both are Northern- based, Rebecca working from her studio in Leeds, Helen making and teaching in Manchester. Their work combines artistic flair and originality with in depth knowledge and commitment to exploiting the ceramic making process. Helen Felcey's finely cast bone china objects take soft, fluid forms, reminiscent of everyday life. They are created by working closely with the natural movement of the bone china that takes place during the firing process. Starting out as potentially functional objects the end results are transformed into ordered, visually soothing art forms, the presentation of which is an integral part of the work. Rebecca Catterall's pieces have many conflicts - recognisable shapes interrupted, and order without orientation. Her influences are North Yorkshire's expansive seasonal shifts; the urban environment with its adverse cambers, pathways, tunnels, stairwells and Persian Miniatures with their layered complexity.

Both artists have exhibited widely in this country and internationally, and have won awards acknowledging the excellence of their work. In 2006 Rebecca Catterall won the 'Ceramicist aged under thirty prize', at XIX International Biennale of Contemporary Ceramics in Vallauris, France, and Helen Felcey was awarded the 'School of Design Research & Practice Award', from Manchester Metropolitan University.