Neil MacDonell. Egyptian Inspired Ceramist

Neil MacDonell was born in Southwark, London. ” My Father was an architect and I had a lot of

exposure to the arts and crafts, particularly old buildings. When I first started working with clay

at college it was the transformation of materials during firing that held me in thrall – it still does. ”

” As a 6 year old visiting the Egyptian rooms in the British Museum I was overwhelmed by the textures,

patterns and sinister esoteric nature of the mummified remains. I remain interested in disguise and

concealment as expressed in primitive cultures and the way that the damage found in archaeological

artefacts speaks of their history. My fascination with the human face has made it an obvious choice as a

focus for my ideas, though I am conscious of how difficult it is to avoid clichés and pastiche.

Yet it is the ubiquity of images of the face throughout the history of humankind that draws me to them. ”

Great use of textures and I like the contrast between the tranquil face and the busy decoration.

Neil MacDonell shares his studio in Bath with his wife Sally who is also a sculptural ceramist.