Artist Focus :: Rebecca Appleby

Born in Leeds, Rebecca is a highly respected artist whose sculptural and painterly eye allows her the diversity to go beyond the boundaries of her traditional background in ceramics, giving her the freedom to create vibrant and challenging work. From highly sculptural ceramics to industrial sculpture and experimental painting, the work of artist Rebecca Appleby is a continual exploration of the contemporary urban landscape. Examining the ever-present cohabitation and conflict between industry and nature.

This year Rebecca has been selected as one of ten artists to take part in the 2023 British Ceramics Bienniale’s headline exhibition. The British Ceramics Biennial (BCB) develops, sustains, and expands innovative ceramics practice and improves lives together with artists and creative communities. ‘This year’s Award shortlist, selected from over 180 entries, features some of the UK’s most innovative artists working with ceramics. Their works will form the focal point of the BCB Festival in Stoke-on-Trent in September, when one of them will be awarded £10,000 for excellence, innovation and creative ambition.’ Find out more details about the Biennale here: https://www.britishceramicsbiennial.com/news/award2023/

For the upcoming BCB Award Exhibition, Rebecca will continue her exploration into the concept of ‘Gaia’ – that everything on earth is connected, creating a new series of abstract forms. Rebecca explained a bit more about her current Hemishphere series:

"My ceramic sculptures explore a long-standing interest in the notion of balancing structure & order, disorder & disarray, referencing the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi. The current works take the shape of spheres & hemispheres. We perceive the earth as being divided at the equator. The north & southern hemispheres, or divided at the prime meridian into east & western hemispheres."

Earlier in the year, Rebecca moved to a new studio space in the grounds of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Longside. The new location also has a classroom space where teaching is now offered in partnership with long time collaborator James Oughtibridge. The five day course is available through Clay Yorkshire and is suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists.