Nicola Morriss(Click an image to see a larger version) Nicola originally graduated in 1972 from Central School of Art in London where she trained in ceramics before working as a studio potter for 8 years. Although she?s recently completed an MA in Fine Art Nicola has been away from ceramics for about twenty years. "After a long break the AA2A scheme at Birmingham gave me the opportunity to get back into ceramics which I would not have missed for the world. Even the long round trip by bus from rural Herefordshire didn?t diminish my enthusiasm for the project or prevent me from making full use of the 100 hours access offered. "It allowed me to work in a serious way but without restrictions or expectations as to what I should produce, so I was making work for my own enjoyment. "I arranged to work on average two days a week which suited both myself and the department. Mainly I was working on hand modelling and making moulds for slip casting so I didn?t need equipment, just an area to work in. But when it came to firing, the technician, Bob, was really helpful and managed the kiln work for me so that I didn't have to travel in so often. "I got to know several of the students quite well while I was working. I was suprised that they were very impressed by my mould making, so I hope they picked up a few tips from me. I even took in a large piece of tractor tyre for the technician to cut up into large 'elastic bands' for the students to use to hold their moulds together. "I now have two excellent pieces of work courtesy of the Scheme. I have put them forward for possible inclusion in ArtLink ExChange?s ?Women?s Work? exhibition in Hull. I liked the idea of making larger than life, rock hard, ceramic boots, their size reflecting the enormity of discomfort and pain they inflict. They are designed to have intermittent sounds of pain issuing from inside each boot. "Just to underline the influence of the AA2A scheme, there is an advert for a kiln in the local paper this weekend. I am very tempted to phone up!"
To see more of Nicola's work : Visit www.axisartists.org.uk/ Axis - national visual artists database |
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