Portmanteau Ceramics

by Brenda Wholey

My longstanding love of ceramics and fashion came together in my range of Portmanteau ceramics. Most items in the range are handbags, but in my hands the idea of a handbag is transformed into an exuberant sculptural form.

Inspiration for my work comes from a life-long passion for the creative arts and a long-standing interest in architecture, textiles, texture, shape and form. Having had the opportunity to travel extensively, I often draw upon memories and experiences gained therefrom, and I allow visual impulses from those memories and from what I see around me to give full expression to my work.

I particularly enjoy "commissioned" work as this enables me to work closely with a client and gives the client the opportunity to have "Ownership" of the piece.

I chose the name Portmanteau  meaning "a carrying receptacle" because my pieces have a variety of practical uses eg vases, napkin holders, desk tidies, make-up containers or simple Objets d'art.