The South Pennines is home and inspiration to a wealth of writers, artists, crafters, designer-makers and photographers. There are simply too many to list, but to whet your appetite, here’s an introduction to some of the South Pennines artists working with glass and clay.
Kath Bonson – Bon Art
Kath is a sculptural and decorative ceramicist. She is inspired by her surrounding landscape and the diversity and contrasts it presents. The texture in her work echoes the texture of the moors and millstone grit. Kath’s recent work has also been influenced by the poetry of Ted Hughes who spent his childhood in the area.
Kath exhibits and sells her work at events all over the country. Locally you can find it at Water Street Gallery in Todmorden or contact Kath for a commisioned piece via www.bon-art.co.uk.
Jane O’Neill – Abundant Glass
Jane is a glass artist, producing sculptural pieces and gifts for the home. Her work is inspired by the steep South Pennine hillsides, mill towns and houses. She loves working with the light and colours created by variations in each piece of glass. These often reflect the shades of earth and stone characteristic of our landscape.
Pennine Houses by Jane O’Neill (Abundant Glass)
Jane is also a keen cyclist and so it’s no surprise that she produced a range of work to celebrate the 2014 Grand Départ of the Tour de France which passed close by her studio. You can find Jane’s work at outlets across the South Pennines including Spirals in Hebden Bridge, Picturesque in Silsden and Hawksbys in Haworth. You can learn more about Jane’s work at www.abundantglass.co.uk.
Irina Wright – DDU Ceramics
Irina rediscovered her love of clay a couple of years ago and enjoys experimenting with glazes and texture, recreating seed pods and other aspects of the natural landscape. She is inspired by the rocks, water and wide open spaces of the South Pennines and enjoys nothing more than packing a picnic and her camera and “striding off into the wild blue hills”.
Irina has a studio and showroom in Marsden and you can make an appointment to view her work via email at doloresdelugur@gmail.com or by calling her on 07788 575828.
Brown Seed Pod Pot by Irina Wright (DDU Ceramics)
Other artists working in glass and clay in the South Pennines are Glassprimitif, Gina B Glass, Sue Candy , Sarah McDade, Sue Turner, Jackie Murphy, Juliet Blackman (all at Northlight Studio), Sonje Hibbert, Katch Skinner and Brendan Hesmondhalgh .
Inspired to try your hand? Try Werxzovart Studio Gallery in Haworth, Old Stables Studio or Northlight Studio in Hebden Bridge or The Sculpture Lounge in Holmfirth.
