Victoria Dawes
Story by Amy Palmer
Photo by Victoria Dawes
Local ceramic artist Victoria Dawes has been commissioned by Yorkshire Artspace and Made North to create a collection of functional ceramics made in the North, for the North, and about the North.
Victoria’s collection is inspired by steelworker Dennis Black who lived for many years on Holtwood Road. While working as his cleaner Victoria became interested in the way Dennis’ values were reflected in the chores she did and the pride he took in maintaining the domestic rituals he and his wife had done throughout their lives.
Inspired by the kitchen table as the heart of the working class family home Victoria has turned Dennis’s story into a collection of functional ceramics by creating a bread and butter set – bread bin, butter dish, small plate, and of course a butter knife with a Sheffield steel blade. Her intention to show the spirit of a steel worker’s family unit and Dennis’s role as the provider alongside his wife’s more domestic role comes together in shapes and designs.
On the butter dish you can see the shapes of Sheffield bridge arches. In the decoration, stories of starched white linen ironed on a home-made ironing board are told through white slip (liquid clay) with blue patterns over terracotta clay, matching the colours of Dennis’s red brick house with blue windows. Victoria’s art deco style is present too and she has put great care she has put into the exhibit.
The result is a collection of very practical and usable ceramic art that has been made by a representative of one Pitsmoor generation, appreciating the one that went before.
The exhibition will be displayed at Persistence Works from 9th July to Sat 27th August with maker talks at Cantor Lecture Theatre, Sheffield Hallam University on 14th July, 6.30-8.30pm