Lola Swain

Much of Lola's influence comes from the ancient art of the American Southwest Mimbres pottery and the early polychrome works of the San Ildefonso pueblo at the start of the twentieth century. The colours she uses are often inspired by those seen in the natural environment, such as stone and the flora and fauna in its many forms.

Her work is hand built from earthenware clay using traditional coil methods. The coil layers are built up from a slab base, a versatile method allowing a natural form to slowly evolve, in keeping with the intimacy of the process. The forms that result offer pleasing contrast with the geometric precision of the surface decoration.

Layers of coloured slip are applied in defined geometric patterns that are, in turn, tempered by their sustained rhythms. The natural colour of the clay is incorporated in the design and is necessary to the completeness of the earthy forms. The concentric markings left by the burnishing create a subtle, textural appearance, recalling the essential qualities of hand built ceramics.

Her most recent work is the Monarch Series, inspired by the butterfly of the same name, involving those techniques of slip decoration and burnishing as used in her geometric work. The contrasting darker markings and the warm, golden-orange tones of the Monarch provide a most pleasing combination of pattern and colour. The flowing irregularity of the design provides a sense of movement around the form, delivering an air of grace and elegance such as would be found with the butterfly itself.