Kerry Hastings
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International
ceramicist Kerry Hastings makes ceramic vessels which explore themes such as
harmony and discord, colour and form, silhouette and contour.
It is her childhood in Scotland that informs her work now,
both the landscape and, also her parents who met at Edinburgh Art College; one
was a painter, the other an architect. As with most people, it is early
childhood that is the biggest influence and this is certainly the case for
Kerry.
The ancient tradition of hand building using coils of clay is
a method which allows her infinite analysis within the confines of the
vessel. By making the work with narrow bases and wide undulating rims she
imparts to each piece an energy and motion that is reminiscent of certain natural
forms such as the swell of a wave, a bird in flight or the contours of rolling
hills.
Other investigations into nature are made too in her use of
colour. Oxides or carbonates such as chrome, copper, iron, basalt and
cobalt are added to the clay body and the interiors only are glazed in a
contrasting colour glaze. This allows for different glaze/body interactions
resulting in subdued variations of surface, colour and quality. Malachite
is also added to the clay and this gives a white speckle throughout which
echoes pebbles, granite, rocks.
Kerry enjoys making these sculptural functional pieces and,
as there is no such thing as symmetry in nature, she makes her pieces
asymmetrical which bestows a sense of movement and flux; this is further
enhanced when viewed as a group.