Lisa McCabe

As an emerging artist my creative mind is eager for expression. My current focus is around antiquities or pre historic ceramics. My reaction to these antiquities or excavated pottery pieces from all over the world is quite visceral. And, my research has taken me back to the raw, primal, earthy and ancient influences of my familial heritage within the Mayan and Carib Cultures of Central & South America. Juxtaposed is my present exposure to the rich, combination of ancient clay, metal and fibre work that capture my attention with Celtic antiquities. My work, contemporary antiquities, tends to be a marriage of the three cultures existing in the here and now. I prefer bare clay, functional and sculptural vessels. I want to imagine, when I touch and look at my pieces, being transported back in time. My aim is to elicit a mini story from long ago with each piece. To achieve this, I play with natural clay slips, oxides, underglazes, sand and sometimes dried bog soil. Along with alternative firing methods — raku, pit and barrel firing, I explore wet clay and aluminium saggars these day. Working outdoors with my medium and the five elements brings me intimately close to nature. This is where I am meant to be. This is a journey of discovery on many levels. Northern Ireland