Celine was born in London but from six months old lived in Paris. Just before her seventh birthday she moved with her family to the Isle of Man. Surrounded by the beautiful countryside, her love of nature and exploring the Islands surroundings influenced her creativity from an early age.
She left the Island in her late teens to travel and lived in Greece for eight years working as a fashion model. She had the opportunity to visit many ancient ruins where her interest and appreciation of ceramics and pottery grew.
In 1999 she returned to full time higher education on the Isle of Man. It was there that Celine first discovered her passion with clay and two years
years later graduated with a distinction in Advanced GNVQ Art&Design and grade A's in A level Ceramic design and Fashion & Textiles. She then went onto complete her degree at Wolverhampton University graduating in 2004 with BA first class hons in Ceramic Design.
Since graduating Celines passion for working in this wonderful receptive, and tactile medium continues to grow .Developing her work constantly pushing the boundaries of hand building techniques in porcelain and experimenting with its fragility and translucent qualities. She has participated in several selective International Ceramic Fairs throughout England and Wales from 2004 to 2008 and held the post of Exhibitions Officer for The Midlands Potters Association from 2006 - 2008. Celine began working with special needs after graduating (having a sister who can't speak and is severely autistic) tutoring arts & crafts, which then led her to provide a variety of clay work shops in primary and secondary schools, focusing on the therapeutic benefits of working with clay.
Celine returned to the Isle of Man with her kiln in August 2008. She has provided a wide variety of workshops and lessons to all ages and abilities on Island including private tuition and birthday parties. Her ceramics is currently available to purchase from Tynwald Library, The Manx Museum shop and soon on her new website wordpress shop she is currently working on.
Artist Statement
My inspiration comes from the life force inherent in nature and its strong connection to my own inner being. I use personal references such as my love of nature, the sea, luscious fabrics and haute couture to inspire my forms. I find echoes of my work in the sensual openings of flowers and Georgia O'Keefe's paintings. I enjoy walking in the countryside observing the naturally reoccurring grooves and folds in nature and draw inspiration from photographing and capturing macro shots of natures incredible colours, textures and patterns.
My work has also been influenced by dress making and I have developed a similar way of working with clay, giving the illusion of 'clay metamorphosing into fabric'. The use of light in some of my sculptures with the translucency of porcelain, coloured porcelain and vibrant glazes enhances the sensuality of the forms, accentuating the openings grooves, folds and pleats.
My pieces are hand made and constructed by one or many rolled out pieces of clay which I add texture to, before folding /pleating and manipulating the clay while still malleable. Some of my large porcelain sculptures are made over a period of several days, taking two to three weeks to dry slowly and evenly, otherwise cracking will occur. I make my own glazes and love to experiment with the application of one glaze onto another, creating a new glaze colour. My work is fired in a electric kiln 1260c-1280.