Sheffield ceramacist bases carving techniques on the teachings of Gurus

Ceramist Amberlea Mcnaught has travelled the world, learning the methods of Gurus to develop an intricate style of geometric carving.

Ancient pattern making and carving techniques learned from master craftsmen in Ghana, Morocco and India have influenced Mcnaught’s work, which consists of stoneware vases and bowls.

Triangles, arrows, and other geometric shapes are hand carved from the surface of the red clay, which is then fired at a high temperature to create a black matte finish.

Through her work, the Sheffield based ceramist aims to find a “visual language that transcends cultural and historical barriers of identity and origin.”

In a recent collaboration with pattern artist Mattias Jones, Mcnaught has developed a series of tiles, finished with the same intricacy as her stoneware pieces, and arranged in a rotated formation.