Alice Shields, 'BS8_3AD.1'

My work explores themes of walking, materiality, and sustainability as a means to investigate the mapping of a place and our ability to form deep emotional connections to it.

The act of walking provides an opportunity to connect with a site; to observe and experience my surroundings and its nuances over time. I see walking as a multi-sensory experience consisting of layers of visual information, forms, textures, and sounds, all of which occurs simultaneously. Using clay as a collaging tool, I present walks in the form of layered strata, with each material component reflecting an individual element of my walk and the landscape

I move through. I make quickly, combining different ceramic materials, hand building techniques and mark making approaches. Clays and glazes are used in various states of malleability providing opportunity to elicit connections to site and perhaps recognisable qualities found there.

My recent body of work relates to the area surrounding the Feeder Road, in St Phillip’s Marsh, Bristol.

Alice received her MA and BA (Hons) ceramic degree from Bath School of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited across the UK including the Southbank Centre and Royal Academy of Arts and internationally. Most recently, she was shortlisted for the 15th Westerwald Keramik Prize in Germany. In 2018, Alice co-founded Clay Shed, a co-working ceramic studio in Bristol which she continues to manage today. Alice has taught ceramics in adult education since 2019, including across Further Education and community settings.