Ceramic Showcase
Helen Wright
5th November 2005 - 14th January 2006
Helen Wright has been making ceramics for sixteen years. Having completed a teaching degree (combined with Art) in Liverpool, she soon found that her ideas suited the three-dimensional world of clay, and not that of paint. Her final year of her degree found her intensely working with the ceramic department where her love for the medium grew. Since completing her degree Helen has continued to make, sell and exhibit her work alongside her full-time teaching career. Her experiences as a maker have been shared through her teaching of ceramic classes; she has also held workshops on hand-building and decorative techniques for both adults and young children.
Helen's work is hand-built, mainly using slabs of clay. The large pieces are made quickly and padded from the inside to attain and retain shapes. Helen mixes up her own paper clay for large pieces and sometimes uses porcelain paper flax for smaller work. The work is coloured using velvet under glazes and oxides, which gives Helen a consistent control of palette. Helen has always been fascinated by the relationship between humans and animals and she has tried to fuse the two together within her work. She has also explored Biblical themes and themes from mythology and folklore. The large dogs began after producing some heads for a show in Wales and evolved further when Helen acquired her first dog Freud, who is often behind the inspiration for and love within her work.

Helen's work is full of spirit and character, making it a joy to exhibit here at the Craft Centre. Each piece will charm a smile from the onlooker as they remind them of dogs they have known or currently own. Although some of the animals might be seen as slightly grotesque with their false teeth and ungainly poses, Helen has captivated the individuality inherent with creatures great and small splendidly. This should prove to be a wonderfully humorous and impressive Ceramic Showcase for all.


All items are for sale and some original items are available to purchase interest free through the Own Art Scheme.
© The Craft Centre & Design Gallery, City Art Gallery, The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 3AB, England. Tel: (0113)2478241
Open Tuesday - Friday 10.00 - 17.00 and Saturday 10.00 - 16.00. Please call the gallery to check opening times over Bank Holidays.