Sylvia Homes
'I classify my work as contemporary slipware. I enjoy using layers of texture, line and colour to create rich, evocative, tactile surfaces on simple thrown or hand-built stoneware pieces. At present I mostly make dish and plate forms, 'self-hanging' wall pieces, lidded containers, and sculptural vessels in various sizes and shapes. Inspiration comes from many sources: lichens, landscapes, electron micrographs, satellite imagery.
I apply stained vitreous slips to the surface of bone-dry stoneware forms to create the various shapes and textures I require. After bisque firing the pieces are patinated to further bring out the textures, interiors are glazed if necessary, and more work is done to enliven the surface before the pieces are fired to approx 1240°C in an electric kiln.'