Approved: 04.05.2014

rebecca appleby

Artist, Maker

Approved: 04.05.2014

'Random Order' is a series of ceramic vessels that explore the concept of structure, order, control and the antithesis- nature, and organic expression. I am particularly engaged with contrast and balance; conceptually, formally and as a surface.

Historically this body of work has explored architectural, industrial and urban structural design.

Formally the vessels are constructed using slabs of

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Artist Statement

'Random Order' is a series of ceramic vessels that explore the concept of structure, order, control and the antithesis- nature, and organic expression. I am particularly engaged with contrast and balance; conceptually, formally and as a surface. Historically this body of work has explored architectural, industrial and urban structural design. Formally the vessels are constructed using slabs of clay, with a particular focus on edges and joints. The ceramic forms are also derived from research into natural materials -The formal and aesthetic journey from a natural, organic existence to man's intervention and control for use in the urban environment. My hand built, semi-organic ceramic forms are cut, sliced and pierced; the shaping and carving of the forms imitating the process required for industrial use in the urban environment. The multi-layered marks I use are symbolic of surfaces one may encounter in the natural and industrial landscape, illustrating structural urban decay; rigid structural lines, grids, numerical symbolism and blocks of colour juxtapose the erratic handwritten text and random organic spontaneous references. There is also a reference in the work to further interest in other surfaces and forms too, the varied patina's of rusting metal, of discarded machinery, paper and detritus, graffiti, billboards etc., which are all other aspects of a contemporary urban landscape and a natural aesthetic history.

CV & Education

CV Rebecca Appleby
www.rebeccaappleby.com 
https://twitter.com/applebyceramics
Education
1995-1997 A Levels Notre Dame Six Form College, Leeds
1997-1998 Pre BA Foundation, Distinction Batley College of Art and Design, Yorkshire
1998- 2001 BA Hons 1st Class Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland
Employment
2001-Present Practicing Studio Ceramicist, East Street Arts, Yorkshire
2001-2002 Ceramic Technician, York College
2002-2003 Partner in Commercial Art Gallery, White Wall Gallery Leeds
2002-2004 Manager in Independent Design Shop, Area, Leeds
2003-2006 Gallery Manager, Hester Gallery, Leeds
2003-2014 Part-time Lecturer/Ceramic Technician, Kirklees College
2009-Present Self Employed, The Art Salon, Redbrick Mill, Batley
Memberships
Craft Potters Association
East Street Arts
References
Name: Lynne Green
Job Title: Art Historian, Publisher
Email: [email protected]
Name: David Roberts
Title: Ceramicist 
Email: [email protected]
Artist Statement
‘Random Order’ is a series of ceramic vessels that explore the concept of structure, order, intervention and the antithesis- nature, and organic expression.
Historically this body of work has explored industrial and urban structural design. I am particularly engaged with contrast and balance; conceptually, formally and as a surface.
The ceramic forms are derived from research into natural materials – the visual and aesthetic journey from a natural, organic existence to man’s intervention and control for use in the urban environment. The hand built semi-organic ceramic forms are cut, sliced and pierced; the shaping and carving of the forms imitating the process required for potential industrial use.
The multi layered surface uses linear qualities and mark making to emphasize and echo the contrast and balance in the form and are symbolic of surfaces one may encounter in the natural and industrial landscape; rigid structural lines and blocks of colour juxtapose the erratic handwritten text and numerical symbolism.
There is also a reference in the work to further interest in other surfaces and forms too - Brutalist architecture, the varied patina’s of rusting metal, of discarded machinery, other aspects of a contemporary urban landscape. We usually think of ceramics a rural craft, yet the majority of us spend our lives amongst the forms and angles of buildings, in a mechanised world surrounded by the textures of brick and concrete, and the traces of human activity.
My ceramic forms are constructed from initial 2D drawings and paintings. This is an integral part of the creative process as I find it difficult to separate or distinct between drawing/painting and sculpture.
Throughout my ceramic career have found parallels to my ceramic practice in sculpture, architecture and visual art. I am enthused by the paintings of Cy Twombley and Robert Motherwell for their rich, multi-layered, energetic mark-making and use of line. I was introduced to the work of ceramicist Gordon Baldwin by my tutor and mentor David Roberts very early on in my ceramic career and have a deep and long-lasting admiration for his work. I have also been inspired by the steel sculpture of Richard Serra and the architecture of Zaha Hadid. All these artists have explored space, structure and form in their work.

Exhibitions:
Group Show: 26/04/86
Summerhall, Edinburgh, 5 April- 24th May 2014
Norrie Harman, Rebecca Appleby, Dean Kemp And Greg Townend
Click here for further details: 
http://www.summerhall.co.uk/2014/group-show-260486-norrie-harman-rebecca-appleby-dean-kemp-and-greg-townend/ 
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Bils and Rye
Nunnington York, October 2013-February 2014
Click on the following link for details: 
http://www.bilsandrye.com/rebecca-appleby.html 
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Ceramic Vessels
'The AT Gallery' Yorkshire
Click on the following link for details: 
http://www.theatgallery.com/page2.htm 
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Rufford Earth and Fire International Ceramics Festival 21, 22, 23 June 2013
For more info click on the following link.. 
http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/enjoying/artsandculture/arts/earth-and-fire/
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Red, Black, Other
Mostyn, Llandudno
24th September -13th November 2011
http://www.mostyn.org/whats_on/red_black_other
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'Urban Traces' Exhibition
Gallery Oldham, 16 July -  November 2011
Rebecca is participating in a day of discussion and presentations with curators and artists Ken Eastman and David Binns at Gallery Oldham on Tuesday November 1st 2011, 11- 4pm at Gallery Oldham.
Rebecca Appleby, Gordon Baldwin, David Binns, Katie Bonham, Neil Brownsword, Halima Cassell, Stephen Dixon, Ken Eastman, Jennifer Ellis, Ian Godfrey, Rachel Grimshaw, John Higgins, Alice Mara, Bryan Newman, Martin Smith, Brigitte Soltau, Emilie Taylor, Carolyn Ward.
http://www.galleryoldham.org.uk/exhibitions/urban_traces.htm
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Winchester pop up design shop and galley 11th July to 31st July 2011.
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Rebecca is involved in the launch of a new ceramic space in Yorkshire.
The forthcoming exhibition, 'The Northern Collective' has been organised to launch 'Ceramics North' - a specialist Ceramics showcase within Gallery North to support and foster emerging designer-makers and graduates from the local Kirklees College. This group show is a collective group of up and coming ceramicists who have all graduated from Kirklees College and are all practicing within the field.
Ceramics North at Gallery North, Redbrick Mill, Batley West Yorkshire.
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GREAT NORTHERN CONTEMPORARY CRAFT FAIR 2009
AWARD WINNER Best contemporary design
Spinningfields, Manchester
22nd - 25th October 2009
Please click on the link for further details:
http://www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk/ceramics.html
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Origin, Somerset House, London
Week 2 13th - 18th October 2009
Please click on the link for further details:
http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/origin09/
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'Urbanicity'
RBSA, Birmingham
14th September - 6th November
http://www.rbsa.org.uk/exhibitions/index.htm
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'Open Ceramics Exhibition' 
RBSA, Birmingham
29th July - 5th Sept 2009
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Ceramic Art London 2009
Please click on the link for further details:
http://www.ceramics.org.uk/home.php
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Leeds Craft and Design Centre
Showcase, 2003
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