Laura Ferguson.
LAURA Ferguson from Ballybofey studied Contemporary Craft at Manchester Metropolitan University before completing a PGCE at John Moore’s University.
She is currently teaching Art, Craft & Design in The Royal and Prior Comprehensive School, Raphoe, as well as working as a freelance artist.
“For my degree I specialised in ceramics, combining this discipline with others, including print and photography. More recently I have developed an interest in painting.
“I consider my work as documentary and draw inspiration from the varied people, places and objects that surround me.
“My aim is to capture a moment from everyday, mundane life and re-tell it in my work; there’s a strong sense of narrative. I am interested in exploring the boundaries between art, craft and design. My work usually begins with photographs and drawings, which are then transferred onto clay using print or developed into a series of mixed-media pieces.
“I tend to experiment with various methods of surface decoration and often include text within my work. I love the immediacy and honesty of clay as a material and like to combine traditional processes with contemporary imagery.”
Laura is a keen traveller and often incorporates her experiences into her artistic practice. Whilst studying in the UK she completed an exchange programme in rural Bulgaria where she stayed with local families exchanging traditional craft processes.
The following year she completed a residency in The International Ceramics Centre in Hungry where she worked with artists from across the globe.
After graduation Laura became course leader of an Art and Design vocational programme in Liverpool Community College where she worked on a number of community based projects. She was also involved with a number of group exhibitions and exhibited work as part of The Independents section of the Liverpool Biennial.
Laura now teaches Art, Craft and Design in The Royal and Prior School, Raphoe as well as continuing her own artistic practice.
“For me, it’s about striking a balance; teaching is a demanding and time-consuming job but being involved in the artistic community here in Donegal is a real privilege.
“I find there is a natural symbiotic relationships between the two aspects of my work. Teaching has always come naturally to me and schools are such a focal point of the community so it’s nice to be part of that.”
Laura Ferguson’s most recent work was selected for the Glebe Gallery’s Easter show and she is busy developing new work for a summer exhibition. www.laurafergusondesign.com
Zara McDaid can be contacted on Facebook, search ‘Zara Mc Daid Art’, www.zaramcdaid-art.blogspot.ie or e-mail is zaramcdaid@hotmail.com
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