Fran Marquis

As a ceramic artist, I am really interested in the transformative processes that happen to clay and how that relates to the changes that we all go through in our lives. I also take inspiration from local strata and other rock formations as well as exploring the local clays and how they can be used for functional and sculptural work. BIOGRAPHY I began my working life as a Psychologist and was employed in Universities in Research in the Midlands: Nottingham, Birmingham and Loughborough until moving to Scotland and having my family. As my boys grew up I was lucky enough to have a second training and attended Duncan of Jordanstone Art & Design Faculty, part of Dundee University, to study Ceramics and Photography and then to teach ceramics for 3 years at Grays, part of Robert Gordons University in Aberdeen. I now make my own ceramics for exhibitions, open studios, and Art Festivals. I teach weekend and 5 day classes and make commissions for coffee shops and individuals. RESUMÉ My work has sold and been exhibited in a variety on Galleries and on-line exhibitions including: Larks Gallery in Ballater, Strathearn Gallery in Creiff, the Milton of Crathes Gallery by Banchory, The Barn Gallery by Perth, Queens Gallery in Dundee, Watermill Gallery in Aberfeldy, The Barony Centre in West Kilbride and Art Aboyne exhibitions. I have been teaching ceramics for over 24 years in different contexts since graduation in 2000. Recently running classes from my studio at home in Arbroath. Previously I taught at Gray’s Faculty of Art & Design at Robert Gordons University for 3 years. PROCESS My main practice is on the wheel making vessel forms, but I also alter the round forms by faceting and texturing the surface part way through the vessel’s formation, pushing from the interior of the vessel and distorting the surface texture. I sometimes remove a piece from the wheel return it off centre and re-throw the form, playing with symmetry and surprise. I use an electric kiln for more predictable glazes and a gas kiln for reduction firing and to bring out iron speckles in the clay. Raku firing is also used sometimes for the excitement of direct involvement in the process. Since Summer 2021 a group of us were given bricks for a wood fire kiln and have enjoyed learning about it as a community through 3-4 firings a year and have begun to understand the Woodfiring process fully. The process has also led to more community building amongst all those people involved. Sea colours and horizons, natural rock formations, eroded sandstone, exposed strata, dry cracked earth and caves all inspire me. I live, work and walk on scenic east coast Scotland so, this coastline, cliffs and shoreline, provides inspiration: geological and metaphoric. The Covid crisis led to make ceramic work on the theme of lockdown and was inspired by many walks along the local cliffs. My “Coorie In” series of small pots fit on ceramic shelves and corners, isolating in safe spaces, as we were all being asked to do. I also began to make “agateware” using the local red clay mixed with white clay and facetted. This work was shown at the International Soil Association Conference in June 2022 in Glasgow. The pieces I create are mostly functional bowls and mugs, each one unique but within a collection. I love the idea that a basic meal, or hot drink can become really special by appreciating the vessels we choose.