Meet the Maker: in conversation with Alex Sickling
Alex Sickling is an illustrator and ceramicist now based in Newcastle after graduating from Leeds College of Art. Inspired by folklore, social movements and nature, Alex creates decorative and functional art pieces that have a naive and playful quality.
Having admired Alex's work for some time it was exciting to invite her to create a range of ceramic works in response to Sappho by Auguste C. Mengin which is on display here at Manchester Art Gallery. Pulling inspiration from traditional Greek ceramics and the legend of Sappho, Alex brings us a collection of hand-painted pieces including vases, plant pots and a limited-edition Sappho ornament.
Alex has worked with clients such as Anya Hindmarch, Anthropologie, New Craftsmen and The Conran Shop as well as making work for independent design shops and galleries across the UK.
What inspires your work?
I’m really interested in folk and outsider art as well as having a keen interest in folklore and nature over the last few years. I’ve always been drawn to characters whether that be carved into ancient monuments or discovering curious faces on old Staffordshire ornaments, I’m fascinated by storytelling and often think about a backstory to the characters and how they’re feeling when I’m working on faces particularly.
Tell us a bit more about the inspiration for the pieces you have created for Manchester Art Gallery.
I've been a huge fan of Greek artist Alekos Fassianos since discovering his work whilst visiting family in Athens this year. I love the charm and naivety to his work and although we have very different styles I hope I’ve managed to create something equally as accessible to people with the range of Sappho pieces, although quite a dark portrayal of Sappho I hope I’ve managed to do her justice!
Tell us a bit more about your practice.
I spent some time looking at the painting of Sappho by Mengin and I knew I wanted to capture the darkness of the painting but also add a touch of humour and lightness. I often start with creating some rough sketches of the pieces I’m going to make, then working from the drawings I hand build each piece in white earthenware and decorate with underglazes which gives it the watercolour- like finish.
Describe your workspace.
I work from my home studio under the careful watch of my dog Olive! The space contains shelves of ceramics ready for markets, as well as a chaotic mess of tools and work half finished. I have a yellow ceramic horse on a shelf that I’d made at university as a reminder of how much my style and way of working has changed but also to not lose the playfulness and wonkiness that first drew me to experimenting with clay in the first place. I don’t have much up on the walls aside from an old poster from Assemble who’s work I absolutely love when they were working on the Granby four streets in Liverpool.
Who has influenced & inspired you?
There’s so many but Laura Carlin who’s ceramics I found whilst studying at Leeds Arts University and was the steeping stone into working with clay, and Matthew Hodson for being a genius image maker and using humour in such a clever way! And I guess the last one would be my dog Olive, the silliest and most affectionate inspiration.
What is your favourite piece or design you have made?
My favourite piece in the collection is the Sappho ornament! I really enjoyed making them and the idea of where in someone's home is she going to end up, especially with the deadpan expression she could be a real talking point.
Alex Sickling’s Greek inspired vase, Sappho pot, Pin badge and limited edition Sappho ornament are available to purchase in the gallery and via our online shop