Elaine Hind

Artist statement

My work is inspired by natural forms and observation of related forms found in the manufactured world. It is mostly porcelain, sometimes with additions of glass or metal, and best described as semi-functional or non-functional, though the many vases I make all work.

Since childhood I have always loved lanterns and specific lights which give rooms a magical appearance. I have been concentrating on developing a range of sculptural lamps which have this transformative quality, each one a 'one off', some combining glass 'seeds'.

I use a range of techniques including, slabbing, casting, throwing and modelling. All the work is fired to stoneware temperature and glazed with matt soft colours. Over the years sources of inspiration have been Ruth Duckworth, Mary Rogers and the wonderful Victorian flower modellers. More recently Dale Chihuly glass has been inspirational for its scale and risk taking.

I trained at Birmingham College of Art and have been a Lecturer at Bournville School of Art, now UCE. I retired as Head of 3D Foundation Department in 2005 to concentrate on my own work.

Elaine Hind's lamps are included in the new book from A&C Black, Ceramics with Mixed Media by Joy Bosworth.

Elaine Hind's lamps are featured in a new book published by Black Dog Publishing, 2007 Breaking The Mould