MaureenNew Ceramics by

Minchin

Maureen Minchin lives on the remote Scottish peninsula of Ardnamurchan and the flora and fauna of her wilderness surroundings have been a great inspiration for her superbly drawn, hand-thrown and decorated earthenware pots.

In recent years her pots have achieved high prices in auctions at Bonhams in London and her work is becoming increasingly recognised by collectors of contemporary ceramics.

It is hoped that the wide range of work on show at the Castle Gallery in Inverness – from small egg cups and mugs to spectacular large bowls, jugs and tile panels – will afford everyone the opportunity to purchase their own special piece.

Maureen makes pots which she hopes people will delight in using but which also give a sense of the hidden natural world.

Each piece is hand-painted earthenware and all sizes are approximate.

The entire exhibition can be viewed on the Castle Gallery’s website at: www.castlegallery.co.uk

Cover: Hare Small Formal Bowl Hare Standard Mug9(h) X 14(w) cm

Hare Small Bowl5(h) X 8.5(w) cm5(h) X 20(w) cm

Maureen Minchin

Mallard Large Framed Tile (9 squares)44(h) X 44(w) cm

Maureen’s domestic pots are thrown in terracotta clay. Sprigs of impressed clay and handles are attached and, when leather hard, they are then dipped in a cream slip. Once a pot is firm again the slip is drawn into with a sharp tool (sgraffito technique) and left to dry. After being fired to 950°C the pots are decorated with underglaze colours, glazed and gloss fired to 1140°C under light reduction.

Technique

Maureen’s purpose built studio looks out onto her small holding where she grows fruit and vegetables. From her window she glimpses the constantly changing array of wild birds at the feeder and her own domesticated geese and ducks wandering around the yard. This environment provides the perfect setting for the creation of her work.

Studio - Bird Lover

Detail of Long Framed Tile

Goldfinch Long Framed Tile (5 squares)22(h) X 66(w) cm

Goldcrest Flared Mugfront and back8.5(h) X 13.5(w) cm

Goldcrest Standard Mugfront and back9(h) X 14(w) cm

Goldfinch Tall Mugfront and back13.5(h) X 13(w) cm

Goose Tall Mug13.5(h) X 13(w) cm

Goose Flared Mug9.5(h) X 12(w) cm

Goose Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w)

Goldfinch Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w) cm

Maureen is inspired by the seascape, landscape and wildlife around her in Ardnamurchan. She likes to live and work in relative isolation reflecting her surroundings in decorated earthenware pottery. Her beautiful, free flowing drawings distil the qualities of these open spaces and coastal habitats in clear bright colours.

Coastal - ArdnamurchanGannet Cream Jug, front and back, 10.5(h) X 12.5(w) cm

Puffin Small Sprigged Vasefront and back10(h) X 9(w) cm

Selection of Egg Cups, 7(h) X 6.5(w) cm

Puffin Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w) cm

Gannet Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w) cm

Gannet Tall Mugfront and back13.5(h) X 13(w) cm

Gannet Coffee Mugfront and back8.5(h) X 12.5(w) cm

Gannet Standard Mugfront and back9.(h) X 14(w) cm

A move from Suffolk to the Highlands of Scotland in 2000 changed the direction of Maureen’s work as she began to focus on a new landscape and incorporate new creatures into her designs. The mighty stag, golden eagle, capercaillie, otter and salmon all feature prominently on her pots.

Highland Wildlife

Pine Martin Framed Tile, 21.5(h) X 21.5(w) cm

Stag Vasefront and back

17.5(h) X 19(w) cm

Stag Large Wavy Jug front and back27(h) X 21(w) cm

Hare Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w) cm

Badger Small Bowl, from three different viewpoints, 5(h) X 8.5(w) cm

Hare Standard Mugfront and back9(h) X 14(w) cm

Mallard Standard Mugfront and back9.(h) X 14(w) cm

Hare Small Formal Bowl5(h) X 20(w) cm

Waxwing Small Deep Bowl, from four different viewpoints, 8.5(h) X 10.5(w) cm

Maureen is a long standing supporter of the World Land Trust, an international conservation charity which protects the world’s most biologically important and threatened habitats. One of her new collections is inspired by the abundant wildlife still found within the Beni Savanna in Bolivia and her designs include the jaguar, blue throated macaw, yacare caiman, toco toucan and giant anteater.

Bolivian Wildlife

Detail of Jaguar Scalloped Bowl

Jaguar Scalloped Bowl38(d) cm

Anteater Medium Wavy Jug front and back19(h) X 16(w) cm

Toucan Plate3.5(h) X 21.5(w) cm

Back Page:Robin Jugfront and back12(h) X 14(w) cm

New Ceramics by Maureen Minchin 4th - 25th Oct 2014

Castle Gallery, 43 Castle St, Inverness, IV2 3DUwww.castlegallery.co.uk 01463 729512