Sarah Caputo

I am fascinated by the real and potential elasticity of clay. At present I work coiling pots, whilst also experimenting with paper and sheet clay.  I am interested in the relationship between the sculptured form and ornamentation. The pots that I create inspire the decoration of the finished surface, which is then freely applied, combining scratching, drawing and a riotous use of colour. My interests are primarily with the natural environment.

The Flower Power series celebrates the forms and colours of the seasons. Spring has fresh colours on upward growing forms. The Summer set are a riot of hot colour and intertwined flowers on organic forms. Autumn has the final colours of the year, standing tall and bearing berries. Clay becomes plant life.

Illumine 5 and 6 are from of a series inspired by decorated medieval manuscripts. The coiled clay is sculpted into an asymmetric form and decorative sections appear cut and spliced back together. The decoration is abundant and spills over the edges so that inside and outside fuse together and the plane is no longer obvious.

I am currently working on a new series: Lay of the Land, which references the geology and geography of the landscape. I am experimenting with pouring clay or paper clay over layered paper that has been coloured with slips and underglazes. When the clay has dried to leatherhard I peel back the various layers of paper to reveal a coloured, contoured and pitted surface that reflects the strata within the landscape.