FEATURED ARTISTS
MAY 2023
Peter Horrocks, Siwan Gillick, Clare Conrad and Alice Keeler

Peter Horrocks
I feel drawn to abstract qualities and fragments in the landscape and in particular, geological structures. I use natural earth pigments, clays, graphite, slate and charcoal dust in my practice. Where possible I like to find my own pigments including ochres from the Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean. Landmarks, Traces and Earth Works are common themes in my practice.

Layers of gesso, plaster, pigment, clay etc. are applied, using various binders, to hand-made papers, plywood panels or canvas. The square format of the works and often square shapes act as a metaphor for the essence of stability, the surface being layered, by scraping, rubbing, digging and sanding.
I also use pigments dry by rubbing them into a soft acid free board. The textural quality of the surface is often distressed so that the pigments react in different ways. Powdered charcoal and graphite are also used. Structural lines are incised into the surface with scribers and knives. The resulting line becomes a physical part of the work and holds pigment within the grooves created.
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Drawing is a regular part of my practice and is used both as an act of discovery as well as an end in itself.
Siwan Gillick


​Siwan studied a Fine Art degree at John Moores University, Liverpool and a further Masters degree in Fine Art at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

​After completing her studies, Siwan worked and exhibited before pausing her work to concentrate on raising her children. 
 
Since moving back to the borderlands of Wales and England, the inspiration has returned and she paints in earnest.
“My paintings use abstraction as a method and landscape experience as a source.  I never set out knowing what the finished piece will ever look like; for that is not the point. I have to ‘find’ the painting through the processes of mark making and the layering and removing of paint.
 
Maybe no picture can capture what I comprehend of the landscape but, as a painter, I endeavour to try. I do this by finding and controlling a pictorial space; something that translates and expresses a truth about the underlying pattern of things.”
Clare Conrad

​I first studied ceramics in 1964-66 on an art foundation course in Braintree. Essex, where I gained ‘A’ levels in Ceramics, Painting and Art History under the tutelage of John Clark (latterly of Hereford).

Much later I was able to study for a BA(hons) in Ceramics at Bristol Polytechnic (now University of the West of England) graduating in 1987. This is where I began experimenting with my technique to try to reproduce the peeling walls and sun-faded colours of Venice and I have exhibited extensively in the UK and abroad since then.
​My work is an exploration of colour and texture inspired by the effects of light and ageing on architecture, artefacts and landscape. Many years of experimentation have resulted in my technique, of layering vitreous slips onto wheel-thrown vessels, which provides a rugged texture to contrast with the smooth matt inside. The slips are formed from the three primary pigments, which I intermix to give an infinite palette. The pots are fired to stoneware temperature in an electric kiln, which gives me total control over the subtlety of the finished colours. The high firing temperature renders the piece strong and waterproof – the surface and colours fully permanent and lightproof. ​
Alice Keeler

​My love of metal work stems from my love of textiles. Pattern making and form go hand in hand within my design. I sometimes incorporate fabric in printing onto the metal I use, sketchbooks are filled with patterns as well as finished jewellery designs. This love continues into the way that my pieces are sold, I am connected to every aspect, creating boxes using beautiful papers, and hand-making bags from antique kimono fabric which accompany my pieces.

I studied constructed textiles at The Glasgow School of Art followed by an MA at The Royal College of Art. During this time, I was interested in creating fabrics with a metallic finish. Many years later whilst my children were small, I decided to pursue this by attending an evening class in silversmithing at Hereford College of Art and Design to learn the basics - to shape and solder silver.
Over the years I have spent many hours practicing and honing my skills. This has led to my current body of work, my ‘Fictional Plants’ series. I aim to achieve a balance within each piece which gives it a classic feel in a contemporary style. In 2019 I was delighted to win the Herefordshire Art Week emerging artist bursary. ​