IN TRADITION
A curated collection from our online Winter Exhibition 25/26 (27th November 25 - 11th January 26), 'Tradition' brings together works that draws on, pays tribute to and/or re-imagines traditional forms and crafts.
Clover Knot Vessel, Ceramic with carved black stand, H. 12 x w. 5.5 cm, by Vanessa Lim
Vanessa Lim creates wheel-thrown and sculpted work inspired by her East and South East Asian heritage. Her pieces are both sculptural and functional, playing with traditional shapes and forms in tandem with contemporary glaze finishes. She is fascinated by the juxtaposition between abstract, natural phenomena (such as clouds, shadows, and rain) and ornamental motifs (such as knots, carvings, and brass furniture fittings).
Valeria Muffato’s ceramics draw on abstract art and Japanese aesthetics, with a focus on balance, proportion, and the expressive potential of minimal gestures. She often reinterprets traditional Mediterranean forms into contemporary shapes, creating work that is both restrained and characterful.
I emphasise the fluidity and plasticity of clay through gestural brushwork and mark-making. My practice is informed by Korean Buncheong ware, though I aim to interpret rather than replicate these traditions. I draw on my own cultural context, combining a passion for textile design and the natural world to develop a distinctive visual language. I see my work as being part of the ongoing and evolving Anglo-Oriental ceramic dialogue."
Mary Wright
"My work explores the evolving relationship between cultural heritage and contemporary identity. As a recent immigrant from Russia, I am drawn to traditional folk crafts as cultural artefacts shaped by political and historical trauma. This tension between belonging and distance forms the core of my practice. Inspired by Russian avant-garde artists and the stage designs of the Ballets Russes, I create hand-built ceramic forms with graphic paper-resist surfaces. Simple biomorphic shapes become canvases for layered interactions of pattern, rhythm, and memory. Many of the motifs I use come from fairy tales, mythology, and rural rituals that were an intimate part of my upbringing."
Olga Siruk
Isobel Higley’s work incorporates joyful, symbolic motifs that radiate warmth and positivity, often referencing natural forms and folkloric imagery. She continues to draw inspiration from the South West’s rich customs and celebrations, including harvest festivals, May Fairs and wassailing.
Each piece is decorated using traditional local processes such as hand-painted coloured slips, sgraffito and glazes made from natural materials. Her collections include both small domestic pieces and larger sculptural works, designed to bring a sense of character and storytelling into everyday life.
"Each piece begins with the Matka, a traditional Indian water vessel, reimagined through contemporary processes. Using wild clay, waste fabric, and found materials such as cables and screws, I mark, tear, embed, and repair the surface, echoing geological and emotional shifts. I often use Egyptian paste, a self-glazing clay, to create fossil-like finishes that speak to transformation in flux."
"My vessels act as quiet witnesses to our time, layered with tactile memories and environmental commentary. They reflect resilience, fragility, and our evolving relationship with the natural world."
Sanika Divekar
