Hilary Simms

British ceramics Raku artist

British ceramic raku artist’s Hilary Simms is a member of internationally established ICAS gallery artists. An accomplished artist first presented in our Affordable ART 2015 show with her 10 ceramic raku collection. She recently completed a successful exhibition at Chelsea Flower Show 2015.

Hilary captures the tactile qualities of British sculptors, she was inspired by the works of Henry Moore, when she visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

And has also been dawn to Barbara Hepworth’s abstract forms.

 

 

“Each raku sculpture produced in her studios will evoke an emotional response from the viewer”.

ICAS – Vilas Fine Art proudly welcome Hilary Simms award winning Raku sculpture artist’s to join our portfolio of ICAS gallery artists.

HISTORY of RAKU POTTERY

Raku is a pottery technique that has it’s origins in 16th century Japan. The firing technique of “Raku” ware was first developed by Chojiro, founder of the first generation of the Raku dynasty, in the 16th century. Chojiro produced tea bowls for the tea ceremony using the “Raku” firing technique.

Chojiro’s tea bowls were brought to the attention of the Emperor Hideyoshi. Emperor Hideyoshi was very impressed with the unpretentious and aesthetically pleasing tea bowls. As a result, the Emperor bestowed, in memory of Chojiro, a gold seal that bore the emblem symbolizing “Raku” on Chojiro’s son Jokei.

The word “Raku” comes from the ideograph engraved on that gold seal. “Raku” when freely and loosely translated can mean joy, enjoyment, pleasure, comfort, happiness, or contentment. The word “Raku” thereby became Chojiro’s family name/title.

BIOGRAPHY. 

2011 Visiting artist at Harrogate Ladies College, demonstrating hand building and naked raku firing to GCSE students. Showed my Nautilus Collection at Open Up Sheffield, The Art Market Holmfirth, Art in Clay Hatfield House Hertfordshire, Art in the Pen Skipton and The Huddersfield Art Gallery.

2010 Showed my Nautilus Collection of hand built naked raku fired ceramics at the Art Market in Holmfirth, Chatsworth Country Fair and Simply Christmas Harrogate.

2009 An opportunity arose to take an 18 month residency at The Sculpture Lounge, where I have full time studio space to further develop my professional practice.

2007 Showed my Volcanic Ceramics for Open Up Sheffield.

2005 Set up my first studio to develop and pursue my professional practice as a full time ceramicist.

1996 Several years experience in an industrial ceramics workshop with our family run business, trading throughout Europe.

1995-2009 Taught hand built ceramics at a primary school part time.

1990 Craft fairs in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire selling my hand built ceramics.

1988 Barnsley Art College for a part time ceramics course.

For all private or corporate commission by our gallery artists, please contact
Sunil Vilas call 01462 677455 or
email: Sunil@vilasart.co.uk

ICAS – VILAS FINE ART British ceramic Raku sculpture Collection From The Studio’s of HILARY SIMMS

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