Eleanor Bartleman

I studied ceramics at Glasgow School of Art during which time I discovered the beast epic - Reynard the Fox. The imagery defining my work has been influenced by these stories ever since.

The main idea behind the beast epic is that the animal takes on human attributes. I use the idea of the animal as a representation of a mysterious human presence - the lover, the stranger, the parent, the child. The work has a dreamlike, fairy story feel but with a slight edge - not too familiar and safe.

The pieces are hand built/modelled in porcelain clay. Stains and vitreous slips add colour before bisque friring to 1040^oC. Transparent glaze is then applied and the work is fired to a top temperature of 1260⁰C. After this, lustre and metal gold is applied before a final firing to 750^oC.