Amanda Rachel Toms (BA Hons)
Ceramics
Ceramic Artist and Maker Themes
Work Inspired by the Landscape
The dramatically changing and colourful cliffs, sea stacks and caves of the Isle of Wight coastline are a great source of research for my ceramics. A mix of chalk, flint, marl clays, blue slipper and coloured sands combine to make a varied and interesting landscape. There are places along the coast where small rivers cut through the cliff and flow towards the sea creating deep Chines and depositing gravel onto the sands. On the cliff top rugged trees and wildflowers grow and cling, shaped by the wind with roots exposed. All these elements translate so naturally into the language of ceramics.
Forms I make and return to frequently such as vases and bottles are thrown on the pottery wheel and altered to include areas of added movement. I am attracted to making asymmetric, oval shapes combined with textures that pick up on the eroded forms of the landscape.
Lidded Boxes which are imagined to hold small treasures are slab-built with bands of textured clay wrapped around, they have neatly locking lids and incorporate elements such as knots and fish. Small cylinder vases with impressed leaves are made from soft slabs . These little vases are perfect for a single stem or small collection of flowers gathered from the garden.
Firing work The completed pottery is usually glaze fired in my own electric kiln. My work is made with a variety of clays, slips, grogs, sand, glass with a few naturally found materials, I mix some of my own glazes having studied glaze chemistry as part of my ceramics degree. Occasionally wood firings are used through a community kiln. I live and work in Hertfordshire while also frequently spending time on the Isle of Wight where my ceramics are regularly shown at Yarmouth Gallery
Teaching
I offer pottery workshops tailored to small groups an individuals. Please take a look at my Courses and News page for current events and updates
Boat Sculpture
The boats tell a story, of being in the elements, weathering storms, being dragged over pebbles up the beach, the layered surfaces are created overtime and take on a colourful patina. Wrecks begin to develop the appearance of a discovered ancient artefact.
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