About the Artist

Angelique

I aim to inspire and teach others to inspire themselves

About Angelique

I started my love of ceramics from an early age, going on to study at Falmouth and Plymouth Colleges of Art as a multi disciplinary artist in ceramics, Illustration, glass blowing and large scale metals. Now being a ceramicist and large scale sculptor for nearly 30 years .

In this time I have exhibited in a wide range of Exhibitions, Galleries and gardens around the UK such as RHS. Now working primarily on private commissions and teaching.

Over recent years I Have developed my collections around bringing out the hidden character of the animals and birds I sculpt, in the hope that it will bring realisation to the viewer of the equality between us and other living creatures.

After finding a love of teaching over fifteen years ago while working at a local secondary school I have never looked back since. Teaching Ceramics and Sculpture in many schools, education projects and adult classes along with coordinating large scale art projects.

Realising My dream in February 2016 of bringing ceramics to everyone, when I opened “Pottery box” her studio near Bude, Cornwall.

My latest collection

represents the evolution of a lifelong artistic journey, blending anatomical study with a vibrant celebration of authentic creativity and self-expression.

Each sculpture is a striking fusion of mysticism and familiar forms, where creature and fantasy are reimagined through rich textures and bold, luminous colours.

At the heart of my work is a powerful message: like animals, we too should live unapologetically, embracing our true nature and showing our true colours. in a world of following the masses, dare to be the true you.  Live Full Colour.

Playful, expressive, and emotionally resonant, my work invites viewers into a world where individuality is not only accepted, but joyfully celebrated.

How clay inspires

“My aim is to inspire and teach others to inspire themselves”

I have always had this motto and it has been my main drive over the years. It is why I love teaching so much! People come into the studio apprehensive about what they can achieve , only to find that the calmness the clay brings when working with it and the sense of achievement when they have succeeded in creating more than they

thought possible is such a wonderful thing to be a part of.

I am no psychologist, but I like to think its almost a primal thing, in this modern digital world we have veered so far away from the tactile nature of things, I feel we have lost something important along the way. The feeling of something natural being formed and controlled with our very own hands, with that distant feeling of our

ancestors whispering from the past.

I believe this is also tied to the great sense of achievement someone gets when they have a sculpture or thrown piece in front of them that they have created, not something on a computer screen, but something physical.

When they receive it after firing and its a finished fired sculpture that they can display and touch, or a mug that they can drink their morning tea out of. I get such lovely feed back from my students. Photos of where they have placed their sculpture pride of place in their lounge, or a picture from a family that came for a session and

are all eating tapas out of their creations by candle light. Yet its not just a passing feeling, being a physical not digital creation I know its there in their lives everyday, reigniting that sense of achievement and satisfaction for a long time to come.

I knew from the moment I sat on the fire escape on a sunny morning at my student lodgings many years ago, and drank my morning tea out of my very first mug. That I had taken the right path in life and have never looked back since :)

www.potterybox.co.uk angeliquemedland@gmail.com