After studying sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art, Lorraine Robson has been designing ceramics for over 30 years, taking part in international competitions and exhibitions across Europe and the USA; her work was selected for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office collection to promote contemporary British crafts overseas. 

Robson specialises in sculptural pieces on varied themes, not designed to be functional but decorative objets d’art as well as larger wall installations. Based on ancient skills, this is all about beautifully-crafted handwork using the most primitive and natural materials available – the earth itself. Tidal is a new project based on a research visit to the Outer Hebrides to observe the natural world where the land meets the sea:

‘This work draws inspiration from simple shells, broken, discarded on beaches and seaweed washed up on shores, growing on rocks or the imprints left in sand. A conscious aesthetic move from creation of single ceramic vessels returning wholeheartedly to my sculptural roots in fine art installation and wall relief works, albeit finely crafted.’ – Lorraine Robson

A recurring motif is a mussel shell with its simple, oval, bivalve shape creatively remodelled in clay and plaster.  The smooth, polished surface depicted in Mussel 1 is just so tactile, placed beside what seems like a tiny dimpled hollow on the golden sand-coloured plinth. 

A neat gathering of three shells in Mussel 6 also captures the visual effect of finding these lying on a beach. 

Similarly, with exquisite delicacy, the creamy-white contours of the ceramic shell in Mussel 3 are akin to a ballet pump sculpted in bone-china porcelain.    

‘Wrack’ is the common term for a range of olive green-brown seaweed found on the rocky seashore, which grows in abundance along the coastline of the Outer Hebrides.  

Lorraine Robson produces moulds in rubber and plaster for the liquid clay, (known as slip) – all part of the labour intensive process and artistic technique as she describes, ‘ I love the act of mixing and pouring liquid plaster and clay slip… mould shuttering, slip casting, polishing, painting, glazing, from which a solid tangible artwork is realised’. 

As well as a series of single ceramic shells neatly displayed on square plinths, around the walls are impressive, large scale Mussel groups, diptych and triptych panels. With imaginative vision, individual mussel shells are hung in a flowing arrangement, as if washed in a tidal wave of seawater.  

Also, a delightful collection of pale grey mussel shells crafted in architectural plaster – with alternative colours available for your own bespoke decorative wall display. 

A stunning triptych entitled Ebb depicts a similar scattering of shells and perhaps pebbles, featuring, in the centre panel, two gorgeous, glossy black and bronze patterned mussels: the delicate art of nature. 

However, it’s the close-up detail of this exemplary craftwork which demonstrates the masterly technique, precision and creative imagination.  The consistent purity of colour and quality of raw natural materials is evident, such as the use of Crystacal Alpha K – a very hard, off-white, casting plaster produced from gypsum minerals. The repetitive pattern-making, moulding, shaping and polishing must require such patience and dexterity. 

Tidal Reveal is the title of two delightful pieces which showcase Robson’s expertise in classic bas relief sculptural design, which is so pleasing to the eye and also textural, tactile touch. 

Tidal is an enchanting exhibition capturing a sense of place on a beachcombing stroll in the salt sea air on a Hebridean island with a contemplative mood of peace, calm and reflection.  

With thanks to Vivien Devlin for this review.