Artist statement
Born in Edinburgh. Lorraine Robson spent some years working as a Cartographer before studying Sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art. After graduating she worked for a Commercial Sculpture Studio, producing commissioned fibreglass figures. During this period Lorraines own sculpture developed in plaster, fibreglass and cold cast metals. This work was exhibited in galleries including the Collective, the Royal Scottish Academy and the Fruitmarket.
Lorraine makes beautiful, thought provoking, sophisticated hand-built ceramics that pay homage to ancient skills while embracing contemporary influences. She creates intuitively, a fusion of ideas, drawing on a kaleidoscope of images and observations to make work with a unique identity balanced between manufactured, machine made and organic references.
Her ceramics, often dictated by the classic vessel form and containment, are not designed as functional. Coiling is her main method of construction, slab and pinching for more complex forms. The surface is refined using metal scrapers and further worked using abrasive papers when dry.
Each vessel is fired a minimum of three times, the surface sanded and polished using silicon carbide, then diamond abrasives, between each firing.
“In a world where pressure is on instant results, dominated by commercialism and technology, I enjoy the meditative nature of allowing the form to evolve with handwork, imagination, and human labour using the most primitive and natural materials available - the earth itself”.
Current and forthcoming events
- April - June 2013: Offerings, The Barony Centre, Craft Town Scotland, WEst Kilbride (more info)
Qualifications and training
- 1988 BA (Hons) degree in Sculpture, Heriot Watt, Edinburgh College of Art, UK
Solo exhibitions
- 2010 Opposites Attract, Roger Billcliffe Gallery, Glasgow (more info)
- 1995 New Works, The Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh, UK
Group exhibitions
- 2012 CPA Members, Contemporary Ceramics Centre, London (more info)
- 2012 The IV International Festival of Postmodern Ceramics, KERAMEIKON, Croatian Ceramic Association, Varazdin (more info)
- 2012 2012 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale, Taipei County Yingge Ceramics Museum, Yingge, Taiwan (more info)
- 2012 INTERNATIONAL CERAMIC TRIENNIAL UNICUM 2012, European Cultural and Technological Centre Maribor (EKTC), Manor Betnava, Maribor (more info)
- 2012 Summer Design Collection 2012, Roger Billcliffe Gallery, Roger Billcliffe Gallery, Glasgow (more info)
- 2011 "inside out", Herzer Palace of the City Museum of Varazdin, Varazdin, Croatia (more info)
- 2011 7th International Biannual of Ceramics, 'inside Out', Cultural Center of Kapfenberg, Kapfenberg (more info)
- 2011 3rd International Triennial of Silicate Arts, Cifrapalota, Bacs-kiskun, Cifrapalota (more info)
- 2011 Return to the Earth, Peter Potter Gallery, Haddington (more info)
- 2011 Unite, Craftscotland at the Collins Gallery, Glasgow
- 2010 craft showcase, Howden Park Art Centre, Livingston
- 2009 Maker of the month, Timespan Heritage and Arts Centre, Helmsdale (more info)
- 2009 Hanna's Gallery, South Tay St, Dundee
- 2008 And Then There Were Three, The Strathearn Gallery, Crieff
- 2008 The Smithy Gallery, Blanefield, Strathclyde
- 2007 Chistmas Exhibition, The Line Gallery, Linlithgow
- 2007 Roger Billcliffe Gallery, Glasgow, Strathclyde
- 2007 Autunno, Galleria Luti, Callander
- 2007 Multiplicity, InHouse festival exhibition, Edinburgh (more info)
- 2006 Art at the Biscuit Factory, Biscuit Factory, Newcastle upon Tyne
- 2006 N/A, The Fotheringham Gallery, Bridge of Allan
- 2006 AE Art, AE Contemporary Art (formerly Eyestorm Gallery), Warwick
- 2005 N/A, Goddards Gallery, Portsmouth
- 2004 N/A, Morningside Gallery, Edinburgh
- 2003 N/A, Gold Gallery, Edinburgh
- 2003 N/A, The Stenton Gallery, Stenton, East Lothian
- 2000 British Contemporary Ceramics, James Graham and Sons, New York
- 2000 mixed show, The Bellevue Gallery, Edinburgh
- 1999 N/A, Crawford Arts Centre, St Andrews
- 1998 British Ceramics, James Graham and Sons, New York, USA
- 1997 N/A, Coram Gallery, London
- 1995 Recent Works, Roger Billcliffe Fine Art, Glasgow
- 1995 Women Artists, Peter Potter Gallery, Haddington
- 1995 N/A, Riverside Gallery, Stonehaven
- 1995 N/A, The Strathearn Gallery, Crieff
- 1994 The Scottish Artists and Artist Craftsmen 5th Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
- 1991 The Society of Scottish Artists Centenary Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Commissioned work, Edinburgh
- 1991 Collective Gallery Festival Exhibition, Collective Gallery, Edinburgh
- 1989 Fruitmarket Open, Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh
Artist talks
- 2011 Keynote speaker, Makers day: Unite, inspire, champion Scottish craft, Collins Gallery, 22 Richmond Street, Glasgow, G1 1XU, Glasgow
Workshops
- 2011 Winter Warming Relief casting, Callendar Park House, Falkirk
- 2009 Adult Ceramic Classes, Cowane Centre, Stirling
- 2009 Childrens ceramic workshops, Cowane Centre, Stirling
- 2008 Room with a Veiw, Callendar House, Falkirk
- 2007 Childrens ceramic workshops, Stirling Council, Stirling
- 2007 Adult Ceramic Classes, Stirling Council, Stirling
- 2007 Sculptural Ceramics, South Lanarkshire Council, Hamilton Town House (more info)
- 2007 Identities, Falkirk Council, Callendar House, Falkirk (more info)
- 2007 In-service workshop, Bo'ness Academy, Bo'ness (more info)
Residencies
- 2012 Strathnaver Museum Residency, Strathnaver Museum, Bettyhill, Sutherland KW14 7SS
- 2008 Carrick Knowe PS Artist in Residence, Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh
- 2007 Craft Residency, New Lanark Primary School, New Lanark
- 2005 Craft Residency, Bo'ness Academy - Falkirk Council, Falkirk, UK
Public commissions
- 1998 Art in the Forest, Royal Highland Show/ Forestry Commission, Aberfoyle Visitor Centre, UK
Projects
- 2012 River Crossings, Peter Potter Gallery, Haddington, EH41 3EY
- 2009 Edinburgh University Architecture project, Castleview Primary School, Edinburgh
- 2009 Sensation, National Museum of Rural Life, East Kilbride, St Andrews and St Brides High School
- 2008 Growing Confidence project, Towerbank Primary School, Portobello, Edinburgh
- 2007 Children as Artists - A Spot of Imagination, Edinburgh Council - St Catherines PS, Edinburgh (more info)
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2012 Vasefinder Awarded 1st prize 2012, Seventh Annual Vasefinder International, USA
- 2011 Vasefinder, awarded 3rd prize, Vasefinder 6th International 2011, USA
- 2009 Professional Development, Craft Maker Award, Forth Valley
- 2009 Creative Development Award, Scottish Arts Council, Awarded funding towards the development of a new body of work for Exhibition.
- 1998 Selina Goodenough Memorial Prize, Scottish Society of Women Artists 64th Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK
- 1991 Awarded Arts Council Grant for commissioned installation, The Society of Scottish Artists Centenary Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, UK
Educational experience - early years
- 2011 Texture and Pattern workshop, Broomloan Nursery, Glasgow
- 2008 Developing artworks with pupils for nursery grounds, Greengables Nursery, Edinburgh
Educational experience - primary
- 2012 Ceramics with P2,P3, Grange Primary School, Boness
- 2011 Ceramic practice, Sir John Maxwell Primary School, Glasgow
- 2009 Housing comparisons - ceramics, Sighthill Primary School, Edinburgh
- 2009 African studies - Ceramics, Corstorphine Primary School, Edinburgh
Educational experience - secondary
- 2006 Creative Futures, Larbert, Falkirk (more info)
Educational experience - special needs
- 2009 Ceramic techniques, Sanderson School - Special Education Needs, East Kilbride
- 2009 Relief casting, Greenburn Primary School - Special Needs Education, East Kilbride
- 2008 Teaching Ceramic techniques to Special Needs Children, Sanderson School, East Kilbride
- 2008 Bringing ceramic techniques to Special Needs Children, Braidburn School, Edinburgh
Other
- 2010 Professional Membership, Craft Potters Association, London
- 2003 Contemporary Ceramics Art, Homes and Interiors Scotland, UK Publication
- 2002 Cool, Calm and Collected, Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathrooms feature, UK Publication (more info)
Web links - gallery/work/projects
Personal website
