Details
Parian porcelain
Fabric disc hanger on reverse for wall hanging
H. 28 x w. 20 x d. 2 cm
From the series 'Sans Gill':
A response to shifting attitudes towards the art of Eric Gill following the uncovering of his abuse of two of his daughters. Some institutions continue to show Gill’s work without comment, some have removed it altogether. But his fonts - such as Gill Sans - remain widely used. Sans Gill light foregrounds the unseen and deeply hidden, the negative spaces around his art.
My grandfather was Gill’s apprentice and many of Gill’s wood carvings were done by him. While studying at Central Saint Martins, I discovered Gill had studied and taught there more than a century before. This felt like a prompt to examine a connection I had been avoiding looking closely at: researching and speaking to museum curators and directors about how he is shown today.
The first piece from this project was subsequently acquired by the Central Saint Martins Museum for its collection.
___
About Iona Singleton
"Through my ceramic work I investigate creative historical figures whose impact – positive or negative – still resonates. People with deeply considered and fiercely opinionated views on how art or craft should be made."
"Researching a person’s life, thoughts and impact, while creating something that comments on this in clay facilitates a kind of thinking through making, as if through the creation of this physical object the individual themself becomes more tangible."
"Sans Gill Light is a response to shifting attitudes towards the art of Eric Gill following the uncovering of his abuse of two of his daughters. It foregrounds the negative side of his art and his eroding image. My grandfather was Gill’s apprentice in the 1930s and through this project I investigated how museums show Gill’s work today."
"My Tulip and Leaf vessels take familiar motifs by William Morris and his chief designer John Henry Dearle and extrude them into three dimensions."
"The corrugated forms of Lines of Enquiry were prompted by current debates about how to navigate the fourth industrial revolution. Inspired by the theories of furniture design professor David Pye, this project is an exploration of risk vs certainty instead of hand vs machine."
With a background in social anthropology, human rights, psychology and journalism, Iona’s focus is on people and societal beliefs about making. Graduating with first-class honours from Central Saint Martins’ BA Ceramic Design in 2026, Iona makes in a shared studio in Peckham, London. Her practice combines tools, machines and digital technology with hands-on making, material agency and surprise. Her work was exhibited at Milan Design Week 2026 and is held in the Central Saint Martins Museum collection.
____
Delivery Options
Delivery to Mainland UK within 5 working days
International delivery available within 10 working days
___
14 Day Guarantee
If for any reason you are not happy with your purchase, we offer a full refund for any returns within 14 days from delivery date.