Mandy Livesley

I work mainly with paper porcelain and bone china. My work represents the progression of organic decay displayed by dried flora in and around my garden. The skeletal appearance of Chinese lanterns was the starting point of my exploration, which led me to experiment with the use of bone china slip.

Dried flowers, seed pods and grasses are dipped in china slip and high fired, transforming each piece into a translucent fragile replica of the real thing. Paper porcelain panels are made in order to create a background for the finished pieces. A subtle translucent glaze is used in order to preserve their natural appearance.

Through natural progression I have now created paper thin cylinders in which to highlight the translucency of my pieces. I am in the process of experimenting with the use of subtle undertones of colour. In addition to this I have combined silver-smithing techniques with delicately coloured porcelain, producing a select range of jewellery.

Bone china is initially without form or colour - a material that is smooth and fine textured. It is, for me, the most appropriate medium with which to create the character of my work.