Clay in Conversation 5: Difference

Julia Ellen Lancaster

Clay in Conversation 5: Difference - is the fifth in a series of curated conversations, presenting artists working with clay and ceramics.

University of Westminster

Clay in Conversation

'Clay in Conversation' is a series of conversations with artists who primarily work with clay and ceramics.
It is curated by Julia Ellen Lancaster and operates in partnership with the Ceramics Research Centre, University of Westminster.

Clay in Conversation is curated by artist Julia Ellen Lancaster in partnership with the Ceramics Research Centre-UK (CREAM), University of Westminster https://cream.ac.uk/ and this episode is generously sponsored by Scarva Pottery Supplies <a href="https://www.scarva.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.scarva.com/</a>The curated conversations provide a platform for presentation, dialogue and discovery, bringing together a diverse range of artists with a practice using clay and ceramics. Each conversation centres on a specific theme - acting as a lens through which the artists will present a piece of work or project. The conversations offer the opportunity to dig deeper into the work, exploring it formally, materially and conceptually, from the perspective of the artists themselves.The presentations are followed by a Q&A session with the audience.For this fifth conversation we are so excited to have artists Sam Lucas and Laura Johanna König with Tessa Peters chairing.Sam Lucas creates ambiguously figurative forms. In her own words she states ‘She does not make pretty things’, her work, instead, explores the idea of being in the body and social awkwardness. By exploring the idea of ‘being, rather than being seen’, she explores vulnerability and uncertainty, but with a dark humour. Her practice is driven by her own personal experience and observations of others throughout her life. After completing an MA Ceramics at Cardiff in 2018, she was selected and exhibited in AWARD, the headlining exhibition at British Ceramics Biennial in 2019. Her ground breaking work went on to be exhibited with Taste Contemporary Gallery at Art Geneve 2020 and later that year she was selected for the Crafts Council Hothouse programme. In 2021 she began an AHRC funded practice-based PhD looking at ceramics and wellbeing at Sunderland University with Northern Bridge Consortium. Sam’s research explores the diversity in experience and how creativity, especially in clay can be used as a coping strategy to aid mental health. As part of her research she recently initiated the thought provoking, and diverse open exhibition ‘The Weight of Being’, held on line and in real life at Stroud Valley Artspace. The exhibition continues its life touring to other venues and in October she will take part in ‘Extreme Making’ at Glasgow School of Art as part of the European Academy of Design Conference. <a href="https://www.sam-lucas.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://www.sam-lucas.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">www.sam-lucas.com</a>Laura Johanna König is driven by her inexhaustible fascination for porcelain and has studied this material in various educational contexts and countries. Laura completed her MFA Craft, Ceramics and Glass at Konstfack University, Stockholm in 2021, followed by a Research Exchange within the Ceramics Department at Saga University, Arita, Japan in 2022. She is currently undertaking a Visual Arts MPhil / PhD affiliated to the Ceramics Research Centre UK, at Westminster University, LondonFor Clay in Conversation, Laura will introduce her fascinating practice-based PhD project on ‘Skin Hunger’, which is the consequence of being deprived from interhuman touch. This psychological issue requires solutions of great sensitivity and is accompanied by philosophical concerns. Laura uses her artistic practice and the multifarious characters of porcelain to explore the complements and contradictions of touch variations, such as active and passive, physical and metaphorical, functional and emotional stimulations.<a href="https://www.instagram.com/joh.la.konig/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">@joh.la.konig</a>Tessa Peters is Senior Lecturer in the History and Theory of Art at University of Westminster, an Associate Lecturer at CSM, a researcher, writer and independent curator. Her most recent curatorial project was Cultural Icons for the British Ceramics Biennial at the Potteries Museum, Stoke-on-Trent, and Hove Museum &amp; Art Gallery in 2019-2020. Since 2020 she has facilitated a series of inclusive cross-cultural dialogues, assisting an understanding of issues faced by ceramics practices in different global regions.<a href="https://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/directory/peters-tessa" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/directory/peters-tessa</a>Julia Ellen Lancaster is an artist working out of London and Kent, UK. She graduated from MA Environmental Media at the Royal College of Art. Following time spent in Tokyo, she exhibited at Youkobo Arts Centre, and was subsequently selected for the Leach 100 Residency, St Ives, UK in 2020 as part of the Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada pottery centenary celebrations. In 2021 she was awarded a further residency with Leach Pottery, being one of the first artists to take up a residency at the historically significant Anchor studio, the original home of the Newlyn Art School. She teaches in a professional ceramics studio on the South East coast, UK, as well as running open workshops alongside her practice. Her work combines a deep rooted self-reflection within the context of a socially engaged background. She is a member of the Craft Potters Association. <a href="https://www.juliaellenlancaster.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">www.juliaellenlancaster.com</a>This is an ‘in person’ event held at Fyvie Hall, University of Westminster, Regent Street, W1B 2HW.Please do get in touch if you have any access requirements, we will do our best to offer support. There is an induction loop in the space and the venue is accessible for people using wheelchairs. We kindly ask you to let us know in advance if you require wheelchair access. (Use the contact the organiser option on Eventbrite). Please arrive in good time and no later than 5pm. Attendees are welcome to continue conversations in the bar of Regent Street Cinema situated immediately next door.Places are limited so please book early.

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Clay in Conversation 5: Difference

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Clay in Conversation 5: Difference

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