BCB 2023 Artist Talks – Elspeth Owen
Every biennial, Award artists sit down and tell us about their background and creative practice. They take us on a journey through submission, selection, and presentation of their work. In this series, we look back at artists from the 2023 Biennial as we await the announcement of the Award artists for 2025.
Beyond Repair by Elspeth Owen
This work addresses the fragility of clay and our desire to mend it when it breaks. She presents a line of small hand-formed bowls fired at a low temperature. Installed outside in the church garden, these bowls started to disintegrate during the Biennial. In a touching and poetic talk, Elspeth gives us insight into how she thinks about clay and her role as an artist. Her bowls sit on a mound of ceramic shards, most of which were donations after an open call-out. She shares some of the stories attached to these shards and how the pieces came to be broken.
About the artist
In her practice, Elspeth focuses on the tactile qualities of clay and the process of making. She is currently exploring the ideas around the end of a career, what to do with the leftovers of a working life and what footprint we leave on the world. Her ceramics are on display in public and private collections, including the V&A and Fitzwilliam Museum.