Stef Storey - Ceramicist
Stef is a designer maker who specialises in hand-built porcelain vessels. She uses fabrics and sprig moulds to impress and embellish porcelain. Stef’s work is inspired by a love of quilts and cotton bedding and it is the fabric-like qualities of her designs that characterise her recent work. The subtle use of pastel-tinted glazes to strong black and white hand painted designs with hints of lustre create a contemporary and highly original vessel.
Stef Storey - cup and saucer
Stef Storey - handmade in Cumbria
Stef worked at The Alston Pottery from 1990-99; a family run studio pottery located high in the Pennines. Her father, Walter Storey, Harrow trained potter, mentored and encouraged her to learn sculpting and mould-making to produce collaborative works. Her brother Stefan Storey, Dartington pottery trained, taught her glaze technology and decoration methods. During the 1990s Stef’s work could be seen in selected galleries and shops in and around Cumbria.
Desk Tidy Pillow Pots
In 2005 Stef attended the University of Cumbria as a professional development to further her practice and working knowledge. She achieved a First Class B.A Hons in Contemporary Applied Arts, specialising in Ceramics. Stef was then selected to exhibit at the New Designers in London and it was there that she was invited to become a licentiate of the Society of Designer Craftsman. Stef exhibited at the Society’s London based SDC gallery, “Genesis 08” from November to January. “The Vessel” in Clackmannanshire in Scotland, featured her white on white work from February to April 2008.
Handmade Porcelain
Handmade Porcelain
Stef took part in an International ceramics exhibition ‘La tasse et sa sous-tasse’ at Carouge in Switzerland, 19th September to 1st November 2009.
Polkadot Ceramic Range
The Carbon Footprint Tea light was designed for an RSA Lighting Competition and tells the story of the major phases the Earth has undergone since its creation. At the beginning, as depicted at the base of the lamp, you will see the stars of the universe and thin DNA stands – the beginning of creation. The fossils and plant forms imprinted, represents nature beginning to take hold of the planet. Midway up the vessel is the era of the Great Industrial Revolution – look carefully and you can see the cogs and wheels that drove the industrial machines! The next phase of man’s impact on the earth is the impressed parts of circuit boards – this represents the Micro Chip era with nature still managing to prevail, represented by the butterfly. The Footprints in the sand are poignant – the impact of our carbon footprint on this planet is unknown and will lead us to a future of uncertainty?
Porcelain tea light holder - carbon footprint
Heart Gallery sells Stef’s amazing tea light holders and a small range of her black and white porcelain pieces. Light a tea light candle at the base of Stef’s vessels and the cool white porcelain will illuminate the translucent art work. A conversation piece at the dinner table – to inspire delight and possibly debate. All Stef’s tea light holders are glazed on the inside for ease of periodic cleaning.
Butterfly tea light holder
Songbirds porcelain tea light holder
So, all that remains to ask is are you a ‘tea in the garden’ person ….
Tea in the Garden porcelain tea light holder
or a ‘Wine in the Garden’ type of person?
Wine in the Garden porcelain tea light holder
I know which one I am!
Tags: "Hebden Bridge", Ceramics, Heart Gallery, porcelain, Stef Storey, te light holders, West Yorkshire
