Ayres House Studios, Wallingford OX10 0JZ.
Discover the artists, their processes and works in progress, at our former Rectory and multi-disciplinary artists studios. As well as practising, experimenting and researching in their various fields, many sell work nationally and internationally, provide services, teach and take commissions.
Studio disciplines range from ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, performance, video, sound, installation, photography, print, textiles, conservation and writing. We do hope you will come and say 'hello', meet the artists and tour the studios, gallery and garden.
For full and up to date exhibition listings see www.ayreshousestudios.co.uk/artweeks-2023.
For further visitor information regarding wheelchair access, toilet facilities and any Covid-19 restrictions, go to www.ayreshousestudios.co.uk/contact.
Earth Trust Gallery
Open 6-14th May 10-3 daily.
During this year’s Oxfordshire Artweeks festival, Earth Trust Gallery invites visitors to immerse themselves in nature whilst admiring beautiful local artwork.
Located within the Innovation Hub at Earth Trust Centre, the gallery is housed in a beautiful converted 19th Century barn. We have brought together an exciting range of creatives, and the gallery will showcase a snapshot of their work, including ceramics, mixed media and wildlife & landscape photography.
Earth Trust Centre is a great place to start your exploration of the Wittenham Clumps and surrounding areas. After visiting the gallery, you could head across the road to the Clumps, Little Wittenham Woods or down towards Broad Arboretum, where you can experience the green spaces that have inspired some of our artists. Alternatively, you could drop by and visit the gallery as part of a larger walk within the surrounding landscape.
Refreshments will be available at the event from our friends at Horsebox Coffee.
I design and make delicate, translucent vessels and sculpted pieces from my studio in Wallingford, using traditional white parian clay. My ceramics feature crisp, fluid patterns inspired by botanical structures and movement across rural landscapes. Using a limited palette of striking colours against the ice-white clay, the Hydrangea series is formed by following the intricate skeletal structure of a single hydrangea petal.
My main inspirations are trees, birds and plantlife, and the movement these create across the landscape. I love that the organic structure of a petal or a leaf can create an architecture that does not rely on geometric patterns. The sight and sound of a body of water, from a tiny trickle to a huge wave, can also trigger an idea. I use a lot of my own photography to begin the design process and it is often this that sits at the root of the finished work.
The Hydrangea series evolved from research into Seasonal Affective Disorder and light therapy, focusing on the positive effects natural light can have on the human body, both in terms of physical and emotional wellbeing. Parallels between the effects of sunlight on humans and plant life provide a wonderful symmetry between design and intention. It is formed by following the intricate skeletal structure of a single hydrangea petal.
I have a Masters degree in Ceramics from the University of Wolverhampton and have been working from my own studio since completing this.