Sarah Noel Artist Sculptor Ceramic Gower Swansea Fountain Fine Art Llandeilo

Public Collections

Aberystwyth University College Arts Centre, Ceramic Collection The Glynn Vivian City Art Gallery, Swansea Newport Museum and Art Gallery, Gwent

Public Commissions

Ceramics panel for Gowerton Comprehensive School, Music Department Ceramic panel for foyer of S4C Headquarters in Cardiff

Numerous private commissions in Wales, England, France, Australia and America

Publications

1989 Ceramic Review (July and August) "'Raku Today".

(Exhibition, by invitation of Mr David Roberts) CPA Gallery, London 1994 "Raku, a review of contemporary work" by Tim Andrews 2005 "Raku, second edition" by Tim Andrews

Artist’s Statement

My influences are varied and include an eclectic range of styles and periods of art. I admire the simplicity of form and dynamic expressive qualities of Byzantine icons, medieval stone and wood carvings, and also illustrated manuscripts, early Renaissance paintings and carvings, Indian miniatures and European and American folk art. I find their economy of line and form powerfully communicates a contemplative mood, a stillness, a knowing of something other and their storytelling imagery is imbued with spiritual meaning and allegorical undertones.

Sketching is an intrinsic part of my working process. Living by the sea gives me inspiration and access to draw boats and sea birds. I enjoy drawing building and ecclesiastical carvings, especially angels. My work springs from all these influences.

Figures and boat images are constructed out of clay cylinders and slabs to create stylized forms. Some pieces are raku fired, others are finished by pouring over washes of oxides or coloured stains or slips, allowing the colours to run freely over the forms adding to their mystery and spirituality. Sometimes, I will then high earthenware fire or smoke-fire the pieces.