FIONA FITZGERALD

Biography

Fiona has generated a somewhat architectonic approach to ceramic form subsequent to her return from Africa in 2006. Coloured clays are layered, rolled out, stretched and scorched to create richly patterned and pitted surfaces. The rolled clay is then torn or cut and re assembled in ways that reflect the constituent parts' individual identity while suggesting a new whole.

She moved to Norfolk and shows in Norwich and Norfolk Open Studios. She has also joined the Anglian Potters Association, http://www.anglianpotters.org.uk. and exhibits with them.

While living in York, 2006-2014 she was on the committee of York Open Studios, an annual event which is gaining a vibrant reputation as a show case for a great range of art practitioners:www.yorkopenstudios.co.uk/.
She worked as a Studio Assistant to Ben Arnup, an exciting contemporary ceramicist based in York in 2007. This work was prompted by an Arts Council grant he garnered, developing and experimenting with slab-rolling processes and clays. They continued to work together, sharing his studio. Ben’s work can be seen here: http://www.benarnup.co.uk

Now she lives in Norfolk she has became part of NCAS, and the Waveney and Blyth Arts group, https://waveneyandblytharts.com/fiona-fitzgerald/

Her commission of a ceramic series, the 14 Stations of the Cross, for the ancient and beautiful parish church, St Mary’s Bishophill, York, enabled her to use her fine art background to shift the focus of her practice towards more narrative goals . The pieces were blessed on 9 September 2012.

Meanwhile she has work on show at Fire and Flux, Norwich,http://fireandfluxceramics.wixsite.com/website
and Pyramid Gallery, York
http://www.pyramidgallery.com.

She has had ceramic work on show at Art and Rose Gallery in Pocklington http://www.artandrosegallery.co.uk, http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/eastyorkshire/994425.Paintings_and_ceramics_on_show_at_Pocklington__gallery/ ;at Kunsthuis, Crayke,http://www.kunsthuisgallery.com and at Pyramid Gallery,York,http://www.pyramidgallery.com.

She also worked at the Hepworth Art Gallery in Wakefield as a Creative Practitioner, specialising in workshops and events to do with Ceramics and Art History, and developing a bookclub which then became self supporting.

As an Art Historian she has created a 5 year syllabus for adult education.
She delivers 1 day sessions in various areas of Art History for the University of York’s Life Long Learning programme, http://www.york.ac.uk/lifelonglearning/pleasure/art-history/#tab-1.
Every third Friday, Ocotber - March, she facilitates a Zoom based Art History discussion group , 10.30 - 12.30 and then a physical group at theForum, Norwich, 2.30 -4.30.
She gives occasional talks and delivers one off teaching sessions on request.

In her spare time, she enjoys community vegetable gardening with others, https://www.facebook.com/NorwichFarmshare
swimming preferably out doors, walking- Canterbury to Rome next year?-, watching film, and reading.