Hilary is a contemporary ceramic artist producing vessels and functional ware using the process of hand built, slip decorated stoneware slabs. A lifelong career as a graphic designer, coupled with an interest in surface pattern design have influenced Hilary’s current body of work. The thematic focus of the work is specifically inspired by her mother’s clothing that featured vibrant 1950s patterns which are captured in her work from memories of her mother and old family photographs.
This reflective thinking of home and a sense of place led her into translating the form and pattern of her mother’s garments into clay. She uses slips, paper resist and sgraffito onto the clay then constructs vessels from these highly decorated slabs. Her intention is to evoke the fun, emotion and utopian aims of the 1950s in contrast to post war austerity producing colourful, sculptural and contemporary interpretations of an influential era in her life.
Hilary graduated from Carmarthen School of Art with a first class BA (Hons) degree in Ceramics and won the Craft&Design ‘One to Watch’ award at New Designers 2015. She has exhibited widely including The Mall Galleries, Living Crafts, Ferrers Gallery and Art In Clay Hatfield 2017. She works from home in West Wales where her work can also be viewed by appointment.
Hilary’s work is also available at:
Cecilia Colman Gallery, London http:/www.ceciliacolmangallery.com
Erwood Station Gallery, Builth Wells http://www.erwoodstation.com
Kooywood Gallery, Cardiff www.kooywoodgallery.com
Oriel Mimosa Gallery, Llandeilo www.orielmimosa.co.uk
King Street Gallery, Carmarthen www.kingstreetgallery.co.uk
The Art Café, Whitby www.theartcafe.org
Contact Details:
Hilary Coole Ceramics, Farmers Arms, Llanfynydd, Carmarthen SA32 7TG
Tel: 01558 668291, Mobile: 07851 313275
Email: hilarycoole@btconnect.com
Facebook: Hilary Coole Ceramics