Sophie's new work uses stain inlay and sgraffito lines in coloured engobes for motif of power lines. This at first appears a big departure from her previous work, but as the artist reveals, it is not. Sophie's work has always revolved around lines of some sort. Where in the past her mark making was influenced by geology, now her visual inspiration is drawn from power lines - looking up, not down. The new style is less abstract, but at the same time less functional. In this body of work Sophie is not so driven to make functional vessels and is more intent on letting the symbolic narrative be the driver.
The abstract nature of power lines, their rhythms and patterns, first occurred to Sophie during her guest-artist residency at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia in 2007. Upon her return home she saw these lines anew, where previously they had merged with the general urban landscape.
In the past Sophie ran a shop/studio with Katherine Myers, followed by a period sharing a studio at Northcote Pottery’s original site in Thornbury. Now called Northcote Pottery Supplies, the business recently moved to Brunswick East and Sophie has established a private studio within this new complex. As well as tutoring in wheel-thrown ceramics Sophie has begun managing and curating shows at the newly established Pan Gallery. The gallery has now hosted three shows, and has found an eager audience.
Pan Gallery is hoped to be a place for nurturing "up and coming artists". Specializing in ceramics of course.
Sophie has recently started a blog of her own, called “six hundred degrees”
I was eager to see what direction this blog would take, as it's such a different medium for potters who are used to working with physical visual mediums. I am glad to see Sophie's blog has added some interesting topics.
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