She takes inspiration from the tideline, responding to the movement of water over sand.
Judith Davies's artistic practice is deeply rooted in her fascination with the coastal landscape and the interplay between materials and process. Her work explores the tension between chance and control, responding to the movement of water over sand, the formations of ripples, channels, and indents created by the sea meeting the shore. Judith's keen eye for edges, curves, and textural details results in extremely tactile pieces where each creation stands as a unique artistic expression.
Judith's Ceramic Techniques and Process
Judith incorporates traditional hand-building techniques of pinching and coiling in her ceramic works. Working with porcelain demands careful treatment and patience, as the process is inherently slow and methodical. Her practice is founded on experimentation, embedding textures into each piece before firing. After firing, she applies pigments to the surface and washes them back, creating layered colors that reveal the unique textures and markings. The final pieces are sealed with wax, with some requiring inlay wax within holes and crevices to complete their distinctive appearance.
Drawing and Mixed Media Explorations
In addition to ceramics, Judith produces drawings on oriental paper that complement her three-dimensional work. These drawings feature layered washes of inks prepared from high-quality pigments she sources herself. Occasionally, she incorporates found materials from specific locations into these two-dimensional works, embedding physical traces of particular places and further connecting her art to the landscapes that inspire it.
Judith Davies's Artistic Development
With a strong educational foundation including an M.A. in Ceramics with Distinction from the University of Central Lancashire (2013), a Post Graduate Diploma in Ceramics with Distinction from Goldsmiths (1992), and a B.A. in Illustration from Manchester Polytechnic (1978), Judith has built an impressive exhibition record. Her work has been featured in solo shows at venues like the Bluecoat Design Centre in Liverpool and the Hart Gallery in London, as well as in numerous selected group exhibitions across the UK. Her artistic journey has been further enriched by residencies, including at Hospitalfield in 2022, and through research group participation such as SelfScapes at St. Johns University, York in 2018.