Under Universal Skies

Collections of new works originating in 2020

This new body of work began during lockdown in Shirley Vauvelle's studio near Scarborough, North Yorkshire. With the gift of more time to reflect and connect with nature, she found herself with the mental space to allow her pieces to evolve in new ways. Nature’s power and vulnerability, its lines, shapes, and colours, continue to be a deep source of fascination for Shirley. She draws from her rich experience of the natural world in her own garden, often incorporating plant materials into the surfaces of her clay or painting directly onto the clay as a way of expressing her emotional response to the changing light and seasons.

The Beasts series represents an ongoing and expanding world of intuitive forms, inspired by drawings of archaeological artifacts from her travels, particularly Inuit carvings, which resonated with Shirley for their blend of gentleness and strength. Each "beast" occupies its own role in this evolving world, contributing to the narrative of this new body of work.