Helen Kemp
Helen Kemp was born in Falkirk in 1956. She studied ceramics at Edinburgh College of Art from 1974 to 1978, followed by Post-Graduate study of slip cast work at Glasgow School of Art in 1978/9. After graduating, some years were spent working in various creative fields including community arts, decorative tiles, illustration and painted furniture; as well as bringing up her children. Helen returned to ceramics five years ago and works full time in her studio in the Scottish Borders she regularly exhibits in several, mainly Scottish, galleries.
“The inspiration for my work originally came from Mexican and American folk art and Victorian Staffordshire figures. I aim to create a whimsical or dreamlike feeling in the work through facial expressions, body language and sometimes with the use of narrative. There is a gradual development of themes with one piece leading to another. All the work is hand-modelled in earthenware clay with underglaze decoration, transparent matt and satin glazes with touches of gold leaf.”
Exhibitions