About Mandy's Work
How can we value things more than we do today?
Mandy's current inspiration comes from how the development of our society has affected our eco-systems. Her deconstructed and re-imagined ceramic designs are a response to our need to re-imagine our world in relation to climate change. Cutting and slicing vessels to recreate different forms first contemplates the sadness of destroying something familiar, followed by the creative energy required to rebuild in a new way.
Combining throwing and hand building skills, Mandy creates pieces which are both sculptural and functional. During the build-stage, management of the clay is crucial to ensure parts are in similar states to reconnect. She uses masking techniques to apply her striped designs directly on the dried clay in preparation for raw glazing. This method requires great care as dried clay is extremely fragile though enables once-firing to lower carbon emissions. Mandy uses an electric kiln powered by renewable energy, reclaims her clay, and minimises her use of water, plastics, and chemicals.
In a digital world where reality is often disconnected, Mandy believes the bare clay visible in her designs gives her audience a connection with the material. The time taken to make each piece slows her world down to allow a mindful reflection of the processes. She appreciates simplicity, the value of less is more and hopes to stimulate conversations about how and why.
