Laurance Simon

Clay and its endless possibilities are a fascination for me. The world of nature is a constant inspiration. I mentally register shapes, colours, patterns, and will fill sketchbooks with drawings or doodles to pursue later when I am back in the studio. My sculptures have an element of storytelling, they borrow from my love of the absurd and surrealism. I see my work as a cross between Ceramics and Fine Art, I love building, carving, modelling.

The attention to detail came while travelling in Africa and India and admiring their lovingly crafted utensils for everyday use; a carved spoon or an intricately pierced vessel, a flight of fancy candelabra.  I feel as if I have somewhere in my mind a repository of images gleaned from cultures other than my own. I continue to draw inspiration from other lands which still have a strong tradition of making.

​The jugs I make are little clay canvases, it is almost irrelevant that one can use them. For me they marry the love of making and the love of painting.

Born in Paris, France, Laurance came to the UK as a student over 30 years ago. Her range of ceramic vessels celebrate the delicacy of the natural world. She weaves skill and imagination into a joyful ceramic tapestry of nature. Her sculptures have an element of storytelling and borrow from her love of the absurd and surrealism.

Her grandfather and uncle were proud craftsmen making hand-built horse carts and she spent all her childhood summers in their workshop that smelt of sawdust and wood. It was there that her love of making was ignited. Travelling in India and Africa and an exchange trip to the US developed her cultural influences which are often reflected in her work.