Francheska Pattisson

Process

With a passion for both printmaking and for working with clay, I combine the two art forms, using printmaking techniques to build up layers of surface decoration, using foraged, pressed leaves. This results in a detailed and textured surface. I work in white earthenware, both on the electric wheel and by hand-building. The surface is equally important as form; the clay becomes the canvas. Because organic matter is pressed into the clay, often little pieces are left behind which create anomalies, raised textures and marks. I consider this part of the process, a kind of Wabi-Sabi where beauty can be found in the imperfection as nature is caught in the glaze.

Ordinary Time

In these thrown pieces, the surface is created in reverse, so what is covered first becomes perceived as the top layer; the natural textures of plant material produce effects like those created by intaglio printmaking processes. The name Ordinary Time comes from the Church calendar, where it signifies periods which fall between Easter and Christmas, and Christmas and Easter. The vestments worn by the clergy display the colour green as a symbol of new life to celebrate a time of growth and renewal. The name comes from the Latin ‘ordinalis’, meaning ordered or regular. Ordinary Time celebrates the cyclical nature of life, the natural rhythm of existence charting the progression of the seasons. These pieces highlight the ordinary common or garden plants and their brave struggle to exist and thrive, often in hostile urban environments.

Komorebi

I begin these pieces by rolling out sheets of earthenware clay on which the surface is created before the form. Layers of coloured slips and underglazes are interspersed with pressed leaves, building up a complex surface, using a roller between layers to create texture. ‘Komorebi’ is a Japanese word which expresses the emotions generated by glimpsing sunlight filtering through trees. It’s a lot more concise than the English description! Once you are in the habit of looking up, patterns start to invade the consciousness from all angles and layers of vegetation jostle for attention. Shadows layer with natural colours, edges interlink and the natural becomes abstract.

Address:  Central Winchester

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