I want to expose the delicacy and beauty of our natural surroundings to the viewer, expressed in a clay format. The sensuousness and challenge of textures found everywhere, large or small, are part of what I try to convey in my work. Whether it is visual texture in colour, or the physical planes and roughness or smoothness that can be felt, it speaks to me. I also love stone and copper, and use these materials where it seems to go with a piece. I try to communicate parallels between natural forms and our human relationships, which are sometimes hidden and other times more apparent.
My interest in Chinese calligraphy sometimes emerges in abstract expressions of Chinese text which are embedded within the pieces. The meaning of the text is also usually the title of the piece.
I work with various processes and clays to construct sculpture, vessels and wall pieces. Sculptural work is made with a heavily-groggged, low-fire clay, suitable for the Raku process. Pieces are hand built and also thrown on the potter's wheel; but I have recently moved into sculptural work. Some pieces are barrel-fired and/or saggar-fired. The essence of my present sculptural work is flame-altered surfaces.
Functional stoneware and porcelain work is another facet of my work. I like making my own glazes, preferring vibrant alkaline colours.
For Helen Stone's latest exhibition pictures, you can follow her Blogspot.
