Ruby Byrne

While working in a community studio has greatly diversified the style of ceramics I work with, one thing remains constant, the illustrations filled with themes of fantasy and queerness decorating the surface of my pieces.

FROST AND FLAME CERAMICS now includes functional ceramic mugs; thrown, underglaze painted pots; as well as hand-built sgraffito pottery, albeit a tad smaller than my degree show work.

Imagery of the celestial bodies such as the sun and moon are staples within my practice, both in my sculptural and functional work. There is something about these unearthly objects that has captured my imagination for some time, both during my degree show project THE CELESTIAL BODY and my new on going project A STATE OF WHIMSEY.

Whilst THE CELESTIAL BOSY was focused solely on creating pieces of sculpture, my current project A STATE OF WHIMSEY includes both sculptural and functional ware. A STATE OF WHIMSEY is a happier outlook on the queer experience. With dour news, I prefer to have a place to escape to and exist in without fear of judgement or prejudice. Similar to the idealology of a state of anarchy, A STATE OF WHIMSEY challenges the heteronormative ideals with a cute smile and fantastical themes.