Anna’s journey with ceramics began in the early 1990’s and she pursued this passion, leading her to full time study, achieving the Dean’s award for excellence and a First Class Honours Degree in Contemporary Applied Arts – Ceramics, at Belfast School of Art. Ulster University/First trust bank commissioned her to make the ‘Distinguished Graduate’ Award trophy and following a residency at the University she achieved Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
From her ceramics studio based in County Down, she creates thrown, sculptural porcelain vessels, imbued with meaning, inspired by observations and reflection on life. Recent themes have included relationship, heritage and spirituality.
She has gained awards and exhibition opportunities, including New Designers, London and the prestigious RUA, several times. Her work has been supported by her local council; Ards and North Down, Freeland Foundation for Artists and the Arts Council of NI, who have also purchased a collection of her local heritage work entitled ‘Linen Legacy’, for their public collection.
Following completion of the CraftNI ‘Launchpad’ developmental programme, her new work was launched in a group exhibition in the CraftNI gallery. The porcelain vessels were internally glazed with a selection of crystalline glazes, developed with support from the Arts Council of NI. These stunning glazes in which crystals formed during the firing have added a further layer of significance to her work. The forms have developed further to suggest fluidity and movement, giving wider scope for expression.
Anna believes that when we engage with items which have been thoughtfully designed and skilfully made by the human hand, it is a valuable and enriching experience.