Ceramic Landscape: by Adele Howitt Ceramic Landscape is a new development in Adele Howitt’s ceramic art. One new piece from the collection was exhibited at the pioneering Yingge Ceramics Museum in Teipei, as part of the prestigious 2016 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale (15 July 2016 – 1 February 2017), now accessioned into their permanent collection.

This ongoing research manifests as a series of large and small ceramic sculptures – intricate, seemingly delicate, yet robust – initially began while Adele was a resident artist at Naturalia in Sevilla in 2012 (part of Beam’s Orange and Green programme – Arts Across Borders). Here, she researched pollen grains at Cordorba University and developed a new understanding of a living landscape. Coupled with her re-discovery of pottery skills whilst researching the Mexborough and Dearne Valley Potteries later in South Yorkshire, this amalgamation influenced a new way of working in ceramics and pushing clay material to its’ technological boundaries. Ceramic Landscape links nature with imagination and abstraction in landscape formations, particularly influenced by the wild flowers of East Yorkshire. Adele’s work has long been associated with innovation in the public realm, and has a long history of experimentation with ceramic form, artwork which has been exhibited across Europe including, the Steninge Slott Cultural Centre Sweden, VI Biennal de Ceramica del Vendrell Barcelona Spain, Ceramica Multiplex at Kerameikon Croatia, and various RHS Gardens including Chelsea Flower Show. Adele began her career working in the public realm with roles as lead artist working in design teams for new public spaces. She has designed and produced architectural ceramics for hospitals, school playgrounds, churches, and, designed healing art schemes that have been incorporated into the fabric of new buildings during the architectural design process. Howitt began her training at Leeds College of Art, then, went on to study at Chelsea College of Art (University of the Arts London). “I completed a BA(hons) course that was called Art for Architectural Spaces, looking at ways to incorporate art into the environment, specialising in ceramics and glass; later I completed an MA (Distinction) in Public Art at the UCE.” This interest in art within, and in relation to, its surroundings, has continued to be a feature of Howitt’s art practice.

She was very much involved with Hull’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2017, which included proposing a culture project to introduce an art and ecology permanent installation route across the city. She also runs Studio Eleven, a gallery and studio space in Hull, which she set up in 2009. As well as an exhibition programme featuring contemporary ceramic artists, both local and from outside the region, there are regular ceramic workshops and opportunities to be hands-on with clay.