Prue Venables

In this new work we can observe a playfulness with the formal elements and the relationship of parts: the shapes, volumes, colours, and the play of light and space. Ensembles of coloured porcelain vessels are created from repeated components and the arrangement creates movement and patterns. The juxtaposition of forms, colours and spaces is rhythmic and evocative, like musical notes they evoke a kind of visual soundscape. They are abstract and intimate sculptures. They suggest possibilities that can help enliven functional work a bit like the high fashion haute couture catwalk in the fashion and textile industry stimulates the clothing designers. There are interesting associations with innovative design in furniture and architecture like Mark Newson’s aluminium lounge or Frank Gehry’s titanium clad buildings or contemporary music like Philip Glass’s evocative sounds. There is no way of explaining what resonates with us, beauty is a mystery, but Prue’s work is stimulating and unique, and adds vitality to the realm of expressive ceramic art.
— Neville French, 2025
I have observed the evolution of Prue’s work over many years and enjoy the materiality and inventiveness and the construction of her vessel-based forms. They are deceptively simple. The design invention that is so characteristic of Prue’s work lies in the clever manipulation of form such as the oval base and oval rim set at right angles to each other. This shift makes it difficult to grasp the shape of the contained volume of space and adds tension to the form. There is an intriguing play of inside and outside shapes and spaces in the triangular pieces with flared rims that rotate the shape of the base. They are made from wheel thrown porcelain that is cut and re-assembled. The sleeve of clay cut from the base can be altered, moved around and re-attached. The high temperature firing gives the work gentle luminosity and smooth tactile glaze surfaces.

In this new work we can observe a playfulness with the formal elements and the relationship of parts: the shapes, volumes, colours, and the play of light and space. Ensembles of coloured porcelain vessels are created from repeated components and the arrangement creates movement and patterns. The juxtaposition of forms, colours and spaces is rhythmic and evocative, like musical notes they evoke a kind of visual soundscape. They are abstract and intimate sculptures. They suggest possibilities that can help enliven functional work a bit like the high fashion haute couture catwalk in the fashion and textile industry stimulates the clothing designers. There are interesting associations with innovative design in furniture and architecture like Mark Newson’s aluminium lounge or Frank Gehry’s titanium clad buildings or contemporary music like Philip Glass’s evocative sounds. There is no way of explaining what resonates with us, beauty is a mystery, but Prue’s work is stimulating and unique, and adds vitality to the realm of expressive ceramic art.
- Written by Neville French