MERCER CERAMICS
Inspiration and Processs
Caroline has always been drawn to ‘the stuff that is clay’ and particularly the immediacy of hand building. Her pieces are inspired by old and ancient ceramics, maritime archaeology, myths and the clay itself. Each has a story to tell.
They are always sculptural and at times functional, domestic pieces. Caroline celebrates form and function as well as texture and surface. She is particularly drawn to old bottles and jars. Her most recent collection is called 'Stories of The Seabed'. inspired by a collection of bottles given to her collected from the mud of Salcombe Harbour.
She works with prepared slabbed forms which are then assembled to form unique constructions. She pinches, presses, coils, layers; sometimes planned, sometimes designed. Caroline enjoys making molds and applying with textures. Her approach is playful and experimental and at times extremely considered and mindful.
Commisions
Caroline often works with private commissions which are inspired by a number of sources. She weaves together ideas from her own collections and that of the patron to design and build unique pieces. These pieces are made for particular people, events and places. The process is collaborative, in so far as the process allows. The patron are involved in the initial thinking and sent designs before a final design is agreed. The final making stage and the wonderfully alchemic decoration stage is always a surprise for all.
Some of her previous pieces have included a memorial tea box, a wedding vase, an anniversary platter, a sculptural garden lantern, a bird baths and other sculptural pieces which have been personalised for the
'Stories of the Seabed'
Caroline has always been drawn to the sea and the ancient art of story telling. The mysterious ocean; a constant source of fascination and fear, inspiring countless myths and legends across time and culture. These stories speak to the deep, intrinsic connection we humans share with the sea; wisdoms shaping cultural identities of seafaring communities.
'Stories of The Sea Bed' series comes from the idea that objects themselves have a story to tell. The idea that we can discover, hold and 'own' objects that have 'lived amongst' the mysteries and in the vast depths of the sea. My work wishes to celebrate objects that were originally made, somehow, by man. Then, somehow claimed by the sea, only to be rediscovered by humans of a different time. What is the story?
They are always sculptural and at times functional, domestic pieces. Caroline celebrates form and function as well as texture and surface, with a nod to how these objects are transformed and taken over by the sea.
Rustic Kitchen
Caroline enjoys finding ways to translate kitchen and domestic ware into slab forms. Inspired by function and traditions of vessels of years gone by. Drawn to the maker's mark on the clay in the moment of shaping; you will find the folds and seams left behind, not smoothed away, to capture that moment. The forms are tried and tested although intituitive and each one truly unique..
Caroline’s approach balances ‘responsive and intuitive’ with ‘rigour and rules’. Each piece is researched and informed but has its own charm and ‘feeling’. She hopes that each piece sparks curiosity and wonder for the viewer.
Her ceramics can be found at The ArtBox, book a view or make an enquirey here
Digital and mixed media drawings
Caroline has always enjoyed drawing and sees it as essential to her thinking and making sense of the world around her. Caroline can remember 'drawing everything' at school and particularly the 'peace' it bought with it; be it pencil, felt tip, crayon, 'Etch-A-Sketch', she'd be drawing with it and drawing on anything.
With the help of some excellent teachers along the way, Caroline continue to draw and explore drawing as an expression. Her fascination with how materials work and discovering new techniques, she is particularly drawn to mixed media.
More recently, partially due to 'COVID19', Caroline has developed a love of drawing on her Ipad. These drawings are often to solve technical, making stumbling blocks or find answers to more aesthetic questions. They can be notes or finished pieces but always inform 'what's next' for her latest ceramic piece. You can see these drawings on her social media and in The ArtBox.
Please contact Caroline of you are interested in any or these as prints...