I

Kirsty Little - General Artist statement.

I am working in ceramics, wire sculpture, performance and social activism. They interact and over lap influencing each other, informing me in the process.I’m inspired by the vitality of the body - its  innate ability to hold so many states, I work with porcelain. It’s malleability and beauty in rawness draws me to let the clay form organic feminine shapes that lie with in her nature. In clusters these become tangible fragile landscapes, laid amongst recognisable structure they create soft powerful comment. I avoid heavy masking glazes, instead working to tint them with inks and let clay breath.

The energetic movement qualities I’m discovering in wire lure me to exploring the gesture. I aim to find its ‘backbone’, the essence of where the movement comes from and create that in wood. Pulling outward from there with wire, I draw in space the form. The metal wires are suspended and moveable, giving suggestion of breath. Taming the energy of the wire in a woven tapestry is a new direction, the struggle to bend the tight shapes evokes the survival of women who have been striving eternally for equality. Adding in ribbons and wax counters the masculine quality of the wires

Social activism harkens back to my days as a Circus performer. I engage the local community‘s participation in collection of plastic waste, creating large installations. I aim to highlight the misuse of humans current use of plastic and the subsequent creation of pollution in the ocean.