Sandra has recently graduated from Coventry University with a first class BA honours degree in Contemporary Crafts. This is a broad-based degree programme which encourages development of craft skills in both traditional processes and emerging technologies.

 

Sandra describes her work as ‘conceptual ceramic sculpture exploring memory of place and architectural life cycle’. The paperclay sculptures exhibited at New Designers were inspired by trip to Barcelona. Hidden amongst the surfaces are memories of coping with a wheel chair on the metro, diverse and beautiful architecture, the shadows and grime of the side streets.

 

Photography is the start point of all the work. It serves to both capture the memory and interpretation of it in a finished print. Building the pieces and marking their surfaces references construction and modification of buildings as they are reused and recycled to meet the needs of the latest occupant.

 

Sandra sees her work sitting on the cusp between craft and art, material is important to her, as clay is both a medium and an inspiration, it is a challenging and complex material. In the finished artefact function is unimportant. The expression of a concept or idea takes priority.

 

At New Designers Sandra’s Work can be found on the Coventry University stand CA17 in the Contemporary Applied Arts area.For more Information and to see Sandra’s work visit www.sandraowensceramics.co.uk.