This month, we have a very special visit to the studio of Frances Priest. Frances is an Edinburgh-based artist with a specialism in ceramics. She creates intricately decorated ceramic forms, exploring and reinterpreting languages of ornament from different cultures, places and periods in history. She often makes work in response to people and place.
Her most recent body of work focuses on Owen Jones’ pattern book, The Grammar of Ornament. Created in 1856, this lavish folio highlighted stunning patterns, motifs and ornaments in 112 illustrated plates which explored the design principles behind the architecture, textiles, manuscripts and decorative arts of 19 diverse cultural periods. It is still in print 150 years later. Frances has made work in response to the section on India inspired and informed by her recent travels to South West India.
Frances is currently part of a touring show, A Fine Line, now on show at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries. A selection of her pieces were also exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery earlier this year. Her work is represented in national collections including National Museums Scotland and the V&A in London.
This is a great opportunity to meet Frances in her studio setting and find out more about her fascinating practice.
