Shirley Fleming

Shirley studied in Bath many years ago, immersing herself in various ceramic art techniques, but it was sculpting that truly ignited her passion. Her ideal medium is hand-building large forms in stoneware, as she constantly experiments with new ways to create pieces that fit in her kiln while allowing for larger creations to evolve.

Crank stoneware is her usual clay of choice, as it supports weight quickly during the shaping process. When starting a new piece, she recalls the advice from her instructors: to visualise the completed form in detail. However, this rarely works for her. She often begins with a general idea, but the work takes on a life of its own, transforming into something unexpected.

Traditionally, Shirley has introduced colour through subtle variations of oxides, but recently, she has returned to glazing, finding it an exciting journey with surprising results. Controlling the firing at 1230 degrees is always a challenge, sometimes feeling like a gamble. While the color she hopes for doesn’t always appear, every so often, she discovers something magical.

Of course, there are still the firings and myriad experiments with oxides and glazes, adding touches of gold leaf, but for Shirley, the shape remains paramount.

Living in her picturesque corner of South Devon, Shirley feels fortunate to have the time and space to indulge in her craft. While it can be devastating at times, the deep satisfaction she derives from her work makes her feel incredibly lucky.