Biography
Anna’s journey with ceramics began in the early 1990’s and she pursued this passion, leading her to full time study, achieving the Dean’s award for excellence and a First Class Honours Degree in Contemporary Applied Arts Ceramics, at Belfast School of Art. Ulster University/First trust bank commissioned her to make the ‘Distinguished Graduate’ Award trophy and following a residency at the University she achieved Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. From her ceramics studio based in County Down, she creates thrown, sculptural porcelain vessels, imbued with meaning, inspired by observations and reflection on life. Recent themes have included relationship, heritage and spirituality. She has gained awards and exhibition opportunities, including New Designers, London and the prestigious RUA, several times. Her work has been supported by her local council, Freeland Foundation for Artists and the Arts Council of NI, who also purchased a collection of her local heritage work entitled ‘Linen Legacy’, for their public collection. Her current work focuses on the ongoing development of crystalline glazes in which crystals form during the firing, adding a further layer of significance to her work; symbolising life and vitality. Anna believes that when we engage with items which have been thoughtfully designed and skilfully made by the human hand, it is a valuable and enriching experience.
Solo Exhibitions
2021 Solo Exhibition, Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards
2017 Into a Dancer, Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards, Northern Ireland
2019 The Dinner Party, The Loft Gallery, Portaferry, Northern Ireland
Selected Exhibitions
2023 Cahir Arts Summer Exhibition, Tipperary, Ireland
2023 Whitehouse Gallery Summer Exhibition Kircudbright, Scotland
2023 Chaiya Art Awards Gallery @ OXO, London, England
2022 Wales Contemporary Exhibition, Waterfront Gallery Pembrokeshire and OXO London, England
2022 Irish Ceramic Awards Exhibition, Millcove Gallery, Kenmare, Ireland
2022 Sculpture in Context 2022, National Botanical Gardens, Dublin, Ireland
2022 Creative Peninsula, Bangor and Newtownards, Northern Ireland
2021 Creative Peninsula, Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards, Northern Ireland
2021 RUA 140th Annual Exhibition, Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2021 Re-New, Craft NI Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2021 Launchpad, Craft NI Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2020 RUA 139th Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2020 Unlocked, Craft NI Gallery, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2019 Graduates Annual Exhibition, Bevere Gallery, Worcester, England
2018 Ulster Uni. Group Exhibition, ‘New Designers’ London, England
2017 & 2018 RUA 136th & 137th Annual Exhibitions, Ulster Museum, Belfast, Northern Ireland
2017 Degree Show, Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Achievements/ Awards
2021 Emerging Artist’ prize from ‘The former Guild of Northern Ireland Designers’ (The Guild)
2021 Artists Resilience funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland
2020 Arts Council of Northern Ireland Individual Artist Award
2020 Freelands Foundation For Artists – Emergency Funding
2019 Arts Council of Northern Ireland Individual Artist Award