Process

Creating Mary’s sculptural ceramics is a creative and exploratory process. It begins with an initial idea, which is developed through research, sketches, experimentation, and consideration of form, shape, and texture.

An important part of Mary’s ceramic practice is the use of locally sourced clay. By working with clay from the surrounding landscape, she aims to create a meaningful connection between her work and the natural environment in which it is made.

Using local clay also reflects a desire to work more sustainably, reducing the need for commercially processed materials and celebrating the resources available within the immediate landscape. It creates a direct relationship between place, material and making, allowing each finished piece to hold a connection to its origins.

The piece is then brought to life through the manipulation of the clay using multiple ceramic techniques. The clay is shaped and refined, allowing the form to evolve organically. Particular attention is given to the surface detail, which gives the work its sense of movement.

Oxides and stains are applied, and the form is left to dry slowly to reduce the risk of cracking. It is then fired in an electric kiln, before the final surface treatments of multiple layers of glazes are applied and it is fired a second time to 1200°C.

Although rooted in functional forms, these works are also records of change. Each vessel holds the tension between permanence and impermanence; earth transformed by fire yet marked by a coastline that never stays still. Through them, Mary explores the connection to fragile landscapes and the fleeting moments in which they reveal themselves.