Pauline is influenced by blue and white 17th century Delftware.
Pauline Cumming, an accomplished artist and educator based in Edinburgh, brings a unique feminist perspective to her ceramic works after training in Drawing and Painting at Edinburgh College of Art under the guidance of renowned artists Elizabeth Blackadder and John Houston. Following her graduation in 1985, Pauline established herself in southern England before her career in education took her to Turkey and The Netherlands, eventually returning to Scotland where she now focuses on her artistic practice.
From Education to Artistic Expression
Pauline's extensive career in education included a position as deputy headteacher, where professional communication required considerable restraint and diplomacy. This background creates an interesting contrast with her current ceramic work, where she embraces the freedom to express women's experiences authentically and directly, without filters or concern for the male gaze.
Distinctive Ceramic Influences
Her hand-built ceramic plates and pots, crafted from white earthenware and stoneware, draw significant inspiration from 17th century Delftware. Pauline regularly travels to Utrecht specifically to obtain her characteristic palette of Delft blue underglaze. Her work focuses on women's narratives, depicting strong female figures often adapted from classical paintings. These feminist themes blend humor with poignancy, exploring the various stages of women's lives from motherhood through menopause and beyond. Her artistic practice has been recognized through regular exhibitions, including features at Weem Gallery in Pittenweem since 2017, the Open Eye Gallery's "On a Small Scale" exhibitions from 2018-2024, and various other shows across Scotland.