Alison Kay

Alison Kay’s sculptural ceramic objects take their inspiration from various sources, ranging from the human body to plant forms to car designs. Kay allows these ideas to percolate through her practice, transforming and abstracting them to create distinctive forms and patterns.

Kay’s current work relates to the tradition of the vessel. Clean delineation, sharp outlines and well-defined curves create tautness and volume in her forms, each made with an opening to reveal part of the interior. Kay aims to integrate surface and form, creating objects that are contemporary, yet ancient and timeless. The pieces are coil and slab built using white raku clay, then gradually scraped back and attentively worked to achieve symmetry in the form. Layers of coloured terra sigillata are applied and then buffed to a shine. After firing, adhesive paper is placed on the surface in patterns or stripes. The vessel is then smoke fired so that the surface blackens. As the paper is peeled away, the colour beneath is revealed. The piece is then polished with wax to a rich fine sheen.

Kay attended Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design, specialising in Ceramics. She is based in Dublin.

Collections

National Museum of Ireland
Office of Public Works
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private collections nationally and internationally
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

Selected Awards

2011 + 2010
Crafts Council of Ireland Excellence in Making Award in association with Mill Cove Gallery, Cork
2009
Etain Hickey Surface Finish Award
2008
Hallward Ceramic Sculpture Award

Selected Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

2009
Solo Show, Millcove Gallery, Castletownbere, Cork

Group Exhibitions and Fairs

2014
The Royal Hibernian Academy 184th Annual Exhibition, Dublin
Eigse, Visual Art Centre, Carlow
Centred, Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin
Vue, Portfolio at the RHA, Dublin
2013
Open Submission, The Concourse, Dun Laoghaire
Ceramic Art London, Royal College of Art, London
The Royal Hibernian Academy 183rd Annual Exhibition, Dublin
Bravura, The Blue Egg gallery, Wexford
2012
Irish Ceramics Awards, The Barony Centre, West Kilbride, Scotland
RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin
Source, The Concourse, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
2011
PORTFOLIO, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny; Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin
RHA Annual Exhibition, RHA Gallery, Dublin
transFORM, Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin; Millennium Court Arts Centre, Armagh
Contemporary Craft from Ireland, New Ashgate Gallery, UK
2010
Breath, Blue Wall Gallery, Cavan
PORTFOLIO, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny; Kenny Gallery, Galway; Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin
Irish Pavilion, Shanghai Expo, Dublin
RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin
Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition, Mill Cove Gallery, Cork
Sculpture in Context, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin
2009
Organic Geometry, National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny
RHA Annual Exhibition, Dublin
Designers and Makers, F.E McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge, Down

Gallery Representation

Mill Cove Gallery, Co. Cork
SO Fine Art Editions, Dublin
Blue Egg Gallery, Wexford

Contact Details:

Alison Kay
99 Eaton Wood Grove
Shankill
Co. Dublin

T. +353 86 343147
E. alisonkayceramics@msn.com
www.alisonkay.ie/