Dennis Farrell

The passage of time and change observed in urban and rural landscapes has always been central to the themes I explore in my work. The process of archaeology and its concern with time and layers has also greatly influenced the way in which I express my ideas. Architectural fragments, marks on the landscape, multi-layered and over painted surfaces, have all influenced the way I work in clay.

My current work responds to light, line, colour and texture observed in rural and coastal landscapes. Weathered and eroded structures with their sea-washed and weather-worn surfaces are of particular interest. One of the major themes expressed in many of the works in the show is that of light and line observed in tidal estuaries. Other themes express an impression of place through form, sgraffito techniques and over-painted surfaces.

Forms are produced by hand-built techniques using red earthenware blended with black and buff stoneware crank clays. Coloured engobes are applied to the clay surface sometimes drawing through the wet ongobe, sometimes being worked together on the leather hard clay surface and over-painted like paint on canvas. Forms are brushed with transparent glazes and fired to 1120˚C.

Dennis Farrell lives and works near Much Wenlock in Shropshire. He exhibits nationally and internationally and has work in both private and public collections including:

Arthur Anderson Collection of Contemporary Art.

Glasgow City Art Gallery.

Hanley Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke on Trent.

Huddersfield Art Gallery.

Leeds City Art Gallery, Lotherton Hall.

York City Art Gallery.