About

Valerie Kaufmann

Ceramic Artist

Valerie gained a Diploma in Fine Art (Sculpture) from Winchester School of Art.  While earning a living restoring ceramics, she felt privileged to handle and restore work by iconic ceramic artists such as Hans Coper and Bernard Leach, Valerie continued to create sculptural ceramics, being mentored by the late Sandra Eastwood, RA., a brilliant ceramicist. Valerie’s work is popular with private collectors. Now living and working in Kew since 1986 she finds much inspiration in the collections in the

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, from which she has developed a series of fruiting forms – ‘Pods’. She is also drawn to the coast and the sea feeling it is where her roots belong, having grown up on the south coast. Valerie feels the wonder and power of the sea; and its influence can be appreciated in her ‘Wave Bowls’

Techniques

Each piece is unique. Hand built forms are slab-built using her own plaster formers. Additions are modelled, some with details such as porcelain slip-soaked lace.  Finished forms are decorated with slips and coloured engobes, followed by spray application of Valerie’s own mixed glazes as well as brush-on glazes. After firing to stoneware temperatures, some work is further embellished using lustres, including gold and platinum. Valerie also throws wide conical bowls – ‘growing forms’ – some of which are personnalised as commemorative pieces.

Work Exhibitions:

Penwith Gallery

Back Road West, St. Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1NL

The Mall Galleries

The Mall, London, SW1

Seaward Gallery

14-16, Broad Street, Deal, Kent, CT14 6ES

Riverside Gallery

36, Barnes High Street, SW13 9LP