EARTH CONNECTIONS
Nature is at the heart of my practice. Inspired by the intricate forms and patterns found in shells, fossils, seed heads, bark, flowers and other natural phenomena, I create tactile ceramic sculptures using natural clays, minerals, waxes and plant-derived materials. Through layered surfaces and organic forms, I invite viewers to slow down, look closely and reconnect with the beauty, resilience and quiet complexity of the natural world.
My work celebrates the often-overlooked details that surround us while gently reflecting on the fragility of nature and our responsibility to care for it. After many years spent travelling, researching, teaching and deepening my understanding of both art and ethnobotany, I have returned to the studio with renewed purpose. Each piece is an exploration of observation, materiality and wonder, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the small things that sustain and enrich our lives.
There are around 50 pieces of work here in this lovely setting, both indoors and outdoors, so here is a guide to help you find them and if you would like to talk to me or to buy any of the work then please do come and find me, I’d love to know what you think. I’m also very happy to talk about commissions if you see something you would like in a different size.
ARTWORK IN THE GARDEN
Shell Totem #1. Individual, hand-built, components made using white clay, burnished/polished/naked Raku. Smoke fired with plant and natural minerals and mounted onto a locally sourced fossil stone. £185
Garden Totem. Hand built, raku fired components in buff clay. £95
Grey Stone Totem. Naked Raku fired terracotta clay with white slip and 22ct gold gilding. £195
Red Stone Totem. Inlaid patterns on burnished terracotta clay. Raku/smoke fired and beeswax polished. £195
Feeding Blackbirds. Surface decoration onto buff clay from indented plants and experimental raku techniques. Black clay, wax, wire and gold. £285
Shell Totem #2. Individual, hand-built, components made using white clay, burnished/polished/naked Raku. Smoke fired with plant and natural minerals and mounted onto a locally sourced fossil stone. £185
Small Shell Sculpture. Naked Raku and Smoke fired using plants and minerals onto wild clays. £160
Medium Hag Stone. Purported to ward off evil spirits and negative energy and believed by some to allow the person looking through the hole to see hidden magical beings. Raku fired and beeswax polished. £120
Large Hag Stone. See Above. £160
Small Hag Stone. See Above. £85
Totem Shard. Raku fired and wax polished terracotta clay shapes of fruits and flowers. £135
Cuckoo Pint or Lords and Ladies. A woodland plant steeped in rich, cheeky, and sometimes dark British folklore. Burnished, Raku fired and waxed buff clay. £130
Large Shell on Weathered Sandstone. Raku fired, burnished and wax polished. £195
The Spirit of Gold. Across global mythology and symbolism, the spirit of gold represents the ultimate state of immortality, divinity, and the perfection of the human soul. Conversely, the myth of King Midas serves as a warning that chasing material gold strips away the spiritual richness of life. There are many interpretations to be read into this sculpture and I will leave you to decide. Black clay, wax and 22 carat gold leaf. £2000
THE STUDIO
Torn Globe. Hand built terracotta and wire. £110
Floating Axe. A symbol of strength and restoration and the power to reverse bad situations and fix impossible losses. £140
Earth Vase. Hand built in raw clays to represent the earth’s strata. Burnished and waxed. £185
THE LADY GARDEN
The Mother’s Protection. Pods and Vessels. “We are but Nature” – shaped by the same Earth systems as every other living thing on the planet and sharing the core biological functions that helps all living things grow, adapt, reproduce and survive. £80 each
The Three Graces. The Daughters of Zeus who personify the aesthetic and social pleasures of life – elegance/splendour, joy/mirth, youth/good cheer – and who also bring harmony. Clay and 22ct gold leaf. £250 each
THE GREENHOUSE
Earth Pods. Burnished white clay, naked raku firing with plants. Waxed and polished. £65 each
Earth Pots. “Precious to the Core”. Burnished and polished black clay, gilded with 22ct gold leaf. £75 each
Natural Forms. Raw clay, burnished and raku fired with additions of plant and organic materials and minerals. £45 each
The Fates. In Greek Mythology the Fates had supreme power over the destiny and lifespan of every mortal and god. Even Zeus couldn’t alter their decrees. Here they depict the strength, determination, and power of women to overcome hurdles and adversity. Burnished clay, raku fired and beeswax polish. £195 each
Thank you for taking the time to explore my work
Anita Bigsby – Artist
anitabigsby@gmail.com 07950678693
