TESSA EASTMAN
"I am committed to the challenge of hand-building in clay, using various techniques to create complex ceramic sculptures. The often overlooked detail of bone, cloud, crystal and microscopic structures are observed as a starting point to developing pieces which possess a curious ambiguity. I aim to fix un-graspable states such as fleeing cloud formations which represent the both the ideal and the perishable, signifying doom and fantasy. The strange otherworldliness of natural phenomena transports me away from the mundane and I become excited when fixed ceramic form seems alive, evoking awareness of life’s impermanence where not all makes sense. I am fascinated by the disruptive dynamism formed when repetitive growth patterns in living systems mutate as this produces tension.
Grouping sculptures enhances their unique persona as they form a dialogue, which generates an atmosphere of congruence and conflict. Contrast assists in generating an awkward air where geometry and irregularity, order and chaos, soft and hard evoke awareness of the impermanence of human emotions. Voluminous cloud shapes exploring the theme of space pushing out are juxtaposed with opposing harsh mesh structures that reveal the internal. This relationship between internal and external relates to receptacles and the body where the void is a life force. Time is devoted to glaze testing and multiple firing. Equally through use of rich glaze surface and three dimensional forms, pieces develop depth of character."
Education
2013-15 MA Ceramics & Glass, Royal College of Art, London UK
2003-06 BA Hons Ceramics: Upper Second, University of Westminster, London UK
2002-03 BTEC National Diploma Foundation Studies: Distinction, Wimbledon School of Art, London UK
1997-2002 A Levels: Ceramics, Art History & Graphic Design, Bryanston School, Dorset UK
Selected Exhibitions
2018 Collect, The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, Saatchi Gallery, London SW3 UK
Art Wynwood with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, Miami Florida USA
Paddle8 Contemporary Ceramics Auction, selected by Courtenay Moon, New York
Art Palm Beach with Steidel Contemporary, West Palm Beach Florida USA
2017 Art Miami with The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, Miami Florida USA
Vigorous Form curated by Courtenay Moon, Ebor St, London E1 UK
Holiday House with FBC London, Hamilton Terrace, London NW8 UK
Tresor Contemporary Craft with Puls Gallery, Basel Switzerland
Cracked curated by Courtenay Moon, 50 Golborne Rd, London W10 UK
Young Masters Prize with Cynthia Corbett, Gallery 8, London SW1Y, Royal Over-Seas League, London SW1A & Royal Opera Arcade Gallery, London SW1Y UK
Honorable Mention at Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale, Korea
Pour Me, Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Devon 9AF UK
Puls Contemporary Ceramics duo show with Michal Fargo, Puls Gallery, Brussels
Collect, The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects with FBC London, Saatchi Gallery, London SW3 UK
Art Rooms, Melia White House, London NW1 UK
2016 to present, FBC London, SW1W UK
2016-17 Zetter Space with Paul Sayers paintings, London EC1 UK
2016-17 Craft Emergency, Aspex Gallery, Portsmouth PO1 UK
Bryanston Today, Mall Galleries, London SW1 UK
Three pieces in 14th Oct sale of studio ceramics & design, Adam Partridge Auctioneers, Macclesfield Cheshire UK
Bulwer Yard Open House with potter Robert Collingwood, Adams + Collingwood Architects, London W12 UK
Emerging Potters Exhibition, Bils & Rye, Kirkbymoorside York UK
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again, Earls Court Project Rooms, London
Open Art Spaces: West London open studios, London W14 UK
Organism: Chelsea Fringe, Espacio Gallery, London E2 UK
2015 to present, Pamono online design company, Berlin Germany
2015-16 Lost Utopia, Fitzrovia Gallery, London W1 UK
2015 British Ceramics Biennial: Fresh, Spode Factory, Stoke-on-Trent UK
Rupert Cavendish Antiques, London SW5 UK
Place & Proximity, Austin Forum, London W6 UK
RCA Degree Show, London SW11 UK
In Support of Eating, Sketch Restaurant, London W1S UK
Chinese Finishing School with Preston Fitzgerald, London SW7 UK
2014-15 RCA Ceramic Art London Student Shows, London SW7 UK
RCA Work-in-Progress Shows, London SW7 UK
2012-17 Jonathan Ross Christmas & Spring Shows, Gallery 286, London SW5 UK
2012 London Potters Annual Members Exhibition, Morley Gallery, London SE1 UK
Five Decades of Harrow Ceramics, Contemporary Applied Arts, London W1 UK
Gallery Number Nine, Birmingham UK
2011-12 Bicha Gallery Show, Oxo Tower, London SE1 UK
2011 Bryanston Art Now, The Gallery in Cork Street, London W1 UK
2010 Upstairs at The Rose, Rose Pub, London SW6 UK
Cecilia Colman Gallery, London NW8 UK
2009-10 Bicha Gallery, Bristol, Brussels Belgium & London UK
2009 Newcastlegateshead Art Fair, Bicha Gallery, Newcastle UK
Bicha Gallery, St Gabriel’s Wharf, London SE1 UK
2008 Bicha Winter Show, Wyndham Grand Hotel, London SW10 UK
Bryanston – Past & Present, The Gallery in Cork Street, London W1 UK
2007 Islington Contemporary Art & Design Fair, Candid Arts, London N1 UK
2006-15 Old Gasworks Open Studios, London SW6 UK
2006-07 New Designers & One Year On, Business Design Centre, London N1 UK
2006 Kate Malone Open Studio, London N1 UK
Art From Earth, Tower 42, London EC2 UK
Les 4 Saisons – L’Automne, Beddington Fine Art, France
2005-06 Step Closer & Step Even Closer, Gallery West, Harrow HA1 UK
Awards
2017 Member of The Royal Society of Sculptors, London UK
Shortlisted for the Young Masters Maylis Grand Ceramics Prize, Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London UK & USA
2016 London Creative Network Professional Development Programme, Cockpit Arts, London UK
Craft Emergency Award, Aspex Gallery, Portsmouth UK
Biennales
2017 Honorable Mention at Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale, Korea
2015 Fresh at British Ceramics Biennial, Spode Factory, Stoke-on-Trent UK
Public Collections
2017 KOCEF, Korea Ceramic Foundation, Korea
2006 Gresham Private Equity, London UK
2003 Abacus plc. UK
2000 Bryanston Association, Bryanston School, Dorset UK
Lectures
2018 Crafts Council Workshop, reaching your market, making the most of online presentation, marketing & social media, 9th Feb, London UK
2017 Meet the Maker with FBC London, coinciding with the London Design Festival, FBC London look at the inspiration behind collaborations with leading artists & designers. The first in the series starts with FBC London founder Fiona Barratt- Campbell & award winning ceramicist Tessa Eastman, 21st Sept, FBC London UK
2017 Micro-organics Lecture, Rob Kesseler in conversation with ceramic artists Tessa Eastman & Ikuko Iwamoto, Ceramic Art London 31st March, Central Saint Martins, London UK
Residencies
2007-13 Artist in Residence, Richard Challoner School, New Malden Surrey UK
Publications
2017 ‘Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale’, Ceramic Foundation, Korea (p92-93)
2012 ‘Tradition & Innovation: Five Decades of Harrow Ceramics’, Forward by Alun Graves & Edited by Tessa Peters. University of Westminster, London UK (p61)
