Melanie Brown

PORTALS LTD

CHICAGO

________________________

MELANIE BROWN

Melanie Brown is a native of the United Kingdom and studied arts foundation at Wimbledon School of Art, BA, Honors. Ceramics at Bristol , Carmarthen and Preston.

“I make teapots. I have always enjoyed the challenge of manipulating the four elements to create the perfect form; it is like trying to solve a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle. Recently I have started to make ‘families’ – sets of up to eight or ten pieces which have shown together. These are then shown together in groups of 2or 3, and 5 so that the inherent variations produced by the firing are visible on the work. The commonalities and differences of form and color become apparent because of the relationship of one to another within the group.

This becomes reminiscent of tribes or genetic groups that share features yet retain individuality, like people standing in line for a taxi. The sets also create a sculptural dialogue suggestive of architecture.

I throw and turn my work in porcelain and respond to its purity. The glazes used are Celadon, Sang de Boeuf, and Flambe, crisp and vibrant against the whiteness of the body. The handles are custom made for each piece using cane or rubber and silver, and the collections are presented on Beech stands. It is important that the integrity of function and craftsmanship should be complemented by aesthetic considerations. The ergonomics of each piece is potentially part of its beauty.”

-Melanie Brown

Portals Ltd. is delighted to represent Melanie Brown in the United States.

______________________________