MELLA SHAW / Artist / Maker


About

About



I am an artist using clay to make objects and site-specific installations centred around reoccurring themes of balance, tipping points, thresholds and edges. Most recently I have been making publicly engaged environmental work addressing the tipping point of the global climate crisis. I have a varied practice and utilise a broad variety of ceramic processes both traditional and digital. Techniques include slip-casting, press moulding, hand-building, sand-blasting – for me, the individual idea determines my approach. This conscious decision-making allows me to craft thought-provoking work informed by each idea or site-specific context.

My route into making has been circuitous. I originally studied for a BA in Anthropology at Durham University, where I obtained a First Class degree, specialising in anthropology of art, critical theory and material culture. After a period making documentary films, I moved to London to pursue a career in museums and galleries. Having worked in various curatorial and exhibitions roles (including in the exhibitions department at the V&A and as Head of Exhibitions at Dulwich Picture Gallery, London) in 2009 I decided to pursue my long-held interest in ceramics, studying for a two year Diploma in Ceramics at City Lit, London, and sharing a studio at Vanguard Court, Camberwell. From here I went on to an MA in Ceramics and Glass from the Royal College of Art, graduating in 2013. For a while after graduating from the RCA I continued to work in the museum sector as well as teaching and writing about ceramics as part of a portfolio career. In December 2017 I left my role as Exhibitions Manager at the Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, and moved back to my home town of Edinburgh to concentrate on my practice which I combine with teaching (currently Visiting Lecturer, BA Ceramic Design, Central St Martins and Ceramic Tutor, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop).