Mitch Pilkington's ceramics are instinctively hand-formed in an emotionally, intuitive and mindful process. The physical connection to the clay is what inspires her. Each piece is an emotional response to the clay. Pilkington tries to create an aesthetic, that has haptic qualities provided by the clay’s surface, but also communicates a sense of calm, serenity and connection. Each piece is a part of her.
Mitch creates hand-built sculptural ceramics inspired by the natural forms from her coastal finds, both at home in North Devon and on her travels. Her stoneware vessels hark back to the dry, worn spirals of old conch shells collected on Caribbean beaches
Mitch uses highly grogged stoneware and porcelain clays, often coloured with body stains and surface treatments of slips and oxides, to fully enhance the natural sculptural qualities of the clay. She employs techniques such as coiling, pinching and slabs. Within her work, Mitch tries to create a haptic aesthetic that invokes a sense of calm, serenity and connection.
