Frances Priest

Frances Priest creates ceramic objects and tile installations that examine cultural histories of ornament and pattern.

Using clay as a canvas, she builds richly drawn and layered surfaces of carved pattern, inlaid line, and glaze colour onto sculptural forms.

Beyond the studio, Frances develops projects and commissions in the public realm using ornament, pattern, and colour as starting points for engaging with new environments. The Tiled Corridor for The Royal Edinburgh Hospital reworked Victorian-era tile patterns for a new hospital building. Patterns of Flora for Raasay House examined plant habitats on the Scottish Island of Raasay with botanist Stephen Bungard. Imbrication moved neo-classical ornament into the realm of digital animation through collaboration with digital artist Sam Healy.

Frances’ work features in the public collections of The National Museums of Scotland Edinburgh, the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge, the Victoria & Albert Museum London and the McManus Galleries Dundee. Dhe has participated in biennials and awards including, European Ceramic Context, The Wesley Barrell Craft Award, The British Ceramic Biennale, The Arts & Business Scotland Awards, Homo Faber, and The John Smedley Craft Prize. Frances is a QEST Johnnie Walker Scholar, a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors and a Homo Faber selected maker.