Creative People

Clay by Amber Creswell Bell

It’s no secret we are massive fans of all things handcrafted, and we have a particular passion for ceramics!  There’s just something about the tactile nature of clay, the imperfect beauty of the ceramic form, and the chalky white patina of a ceramics studio which just really FLOATS OUR BOAT.

This is a passion we share with Sydney writer Amber Creswell Bell, whose book Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans is out this month!

Written
by
Lucy Feagins

Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans by Sydney writer Amber Creswell Bell. Photo of book by Eve Wilson.

Pages from Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans by Amber Creswell Bell.

Pages from Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans by Amber Creswell Bell.

Pages from Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans by Amber Creswell Bell.

Pages from Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans by Amber Creswell Bell.

Pages from Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans by Amber Creswell Bell.

Pages from Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans by Amber Creswell Bell.

Pages from Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans by Amber Creswell Bell.

Pages from Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans by Amber Creswell Bell.

Pages from Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans by Amber Creswell Bell.

Writer
Lucy Feagins
17th of October 2016

Amber Creswell Bell is a versatile creative – first and foremost, she’s a writer, whose projects include copyrighting and editorial work, with a particular focus on art and design. In recent years, though, Amber has gathered an impressive reputation within Sydney’s creative community for curating various events and exhibitions at Saint Cloche Gallery in Paddington.

In between writing and editing her first book, taking on various freelance writing projects, welcoming her third child (!) and curating four upcoming art exhibitions, you could say 2016 been an intensely busy year for Amber!

‘Ceramics and pottery has very much entered the zeitgeist over the last few years, which I believe is our human way of seeking out things that are unique, hand-made and non-digital’ says Amber. Her new book, published by Thames & Hudson, looks at 55 ceramic artists from around the world, half of them Australian. The local contingent includes Alex Standen, Tara Burke, Alison Fraser, Alana Wilson, Keiko Matsui, Ulrica Trulsson, Sophie Moran, Tania Rollond and Lynda Draper. The book takes an intimate look at each maker’s practice, candidly exploring how these artists each found their way with clay.

‘Their stories are all so different and so inspirational – I defy anyone to read this book and not feel compelled to enroll in a course!’ Amber says!

The Clay book launch is accompanied by a ceramics exhibition, running 20th – 23rd October at Saint Cloche gallery in Sydney’s Paddington. The show will feature work by over half of the artists from the book, including a number of the international ones, with all pieces available to buy.

Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans is out now in most good bookshops, or order online here.

CLAY Book Launch + Exhibition
Opening Thursday 20th October, 6.00pm – 8.00pm

Saint Cloche gallery
37 MacDonald Street, Paddington NSW

Exhibition runs 20th – 23rd October

 

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