Helen Kemp
Born in Falkirk., Helen Kemp studied Ceramics at Edinburgh College of Art from 1974 until 1978, followed by Post-Graduate study of slip-cast work at Glasgow School of Art in 1978/79.
‘The inspiration for my work originally came from Mexican and American folk art and Victorian Staffordshire figures.
I aim to create a whimsical or dreamlike feeling in the work through facial expressions, body language and sometimes with the use of narrative. There is a gradual development of themes, with one piece often leading to another. All the work is handmodelled in earthenware clay with underglaze decoration and transparent matt and satin glazes and gold lustre.’
The range includes wall sconces, candlesticks, bowls, boxes and decorative pieces.
Recent work includes a range of wooden “secret” boxes, painted inside and out, sometimes containing ceramic objects.
EXHIBITIONS – SOLO
2010 Strathearn Gallery, Crieff
2009 Twenty Twenty, Shropshire
2005 Tweeddale Museum, Peebles (with painter Janet Melrose) “Mind’s Eye”
2002 Strathearn Gallery, Crieff (with painter Janet Melrose)
2001 The Crawford Centre, St Andrews.
1999 Craftshop Window. City Library and Arts Centre, Sunderland.
1997 Peter Potter Gallery, Haddington.
1997 Robson Gallery, Selkirk.
1995 Crawford Art Centre, St. Andrews. “Terracotta Figures”
GALLERIES Currently exhibiting in the following galleries:
Scotland
Archway Gallery, Lochgilphead.
Colours, Edinburgh.
The Flat Cat, Lauder.
Fotheringham Gallery, Bridge of Allan.
Galery Within, Kelso.
Just Art, Fochabers, Moray.
Line Gallery, Linlithgow.
Queens Gallery, Dundee.
Strathearn Gallery, Crieff.
Tayberry Gallery, Perth.
Tolquhon, Aberdeenshire.
England
Biscuit Factory, Newcastle.
Imagine Gallery, Suffolk.
Iona House, Woodstock.
Twenty Twenty, Shropshire.
AWARDS
2002 Prestongrange pottery competition. First prize.
1997 Association for Applied Arts “Centre of Attention”, British Council, Edinburgh. Exhibit awarded the Edinburgh Crystal Award for innovation and craftsmanship
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