Sue’s practice-based doctoral research is titled “Aramaic Incantation Bowls and Contemporary Ceramic Art Practice”, and investigates the confluence of historical ceramic objects, critical theory and contemporary ceramic art practice through the study of Aramaic Incantation bowls from 5th-7th century CE Iraq. It centres around a close reconsideration of the magic bowl texts, and the production of large-scale ceramic installation comprising a spatial triptych of rooms. Through interdisciplinary critical and creative approaches, the research establishes connections between the fields of contemporary ceramic art practice, archaeology, ancient history and critical theory. Sue’s doctoral research has also encompassed a seven week residency at EKWC in the Netherlands, and museum collection research in London, Chicago, Philadelphia and Jerusalem.
Born in Australia but now London based, Sue holds a BA Hons degree in Language and Literature from the University of Manchester, and a BA hons degree in Ceramics from University of Westminster. Sue makes ceramic art installations that enfold the viewer and evoke embodied response. Drawn to the latent narratives associated with clay’s longevity of usage, concerns include the ability of objects and spaces to embody emotion, and alignments and misalignments of contemporary and ancient narratives. Sue taught Ceramics at The Institute, Hampstead Garden Suburb, between 2006 – 2013, and has exhibited extensively throughout the UK, including at the Menier Gallery, CAA, Cupola Contemporary Art, DKNY London, North Cloisters UCL, 20/21 Visual Art Centre, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Christie’s London, and the Liverpool Biennial Fringe. Her work is held in a number of private and public collections, and is published in Shaping Ceramics – From Lucie Rie to Edmund de Waal, Tradition & Innovation: Five Decades of Harrow Ceramics, Ceramic Review and Ceramics Art and Perception. Sue is also influenced by ecological concerns and aesthetics, and in 2018 was awarded a public art commission to realise her living plant work, Hedgerow.
