Out of the Earth by Cumbria Sculptors
5 April – 2 July 2023

Everything comes from the earth. Wood grows, dies, and grows again. Metal is extracted and forged. Clay is layered, pressured, lifted, and moulded. But there is another kind of process, the one which involves the artist, taking the earth’s materials and using their imagination and skill to shape anew kind of image with its own grace and beauty. We want to share this contract we make with the earth’s gifts, to give it a different life, to use it to make our own personal statements.

Cumbria Sculptors

Cumbria Sculptors was set up in 1998 to provide a focal point for sculptors in and around Cumbria, England.

Their aims are to provide a network of sculptors for mutual support, to stage exhibitions and to bring sculpture to the attention of the public through group activities such as exhibitions and workshop.

Cumbria Sculptors exhibitions range from small local halls to major outdoor venues such as the grounds of Hutton-in-the-Forest, Mirehouse and Rydal Hall.

The group’s Members work in many different mediums and produce a diverse range of work. Membership is open to all, whether professional or beginner. We welcome new members, whatever stage they are at in their career or hobby.

Learn more about Cumbria Sculptors here

Deborah Robinson

I have been sculpting and throwing clay for over 20 years but retiring from my job as an Engineering Designer has really allowed me to fuse my technical design ability with my love of clay to develop my technique.

I work in stoneware and porcelain and I particularly enjoy sculpting human characters inspired by the local history and rural life from Morecambe Bay and the Lake District. I also specialise in stoneware animal forms, including pet commissions and native wildlife.

Each piece is entirely hand built in stoneware and finished with velvet underglaze and gloss glaze. I aim to sculpt with sensitivity and empathy for my subject, inviting the viewer to relate and reflect on the character, personality and spirit of the piece.

I am also a member of Northern Potter Association and Craft Potters Association.

Gordon Baddeley

I work with old wood, found in the soil of the local fellsides. Mostly they are old root systems. All are very old and, in the case of bog oak, around 700 years! I follow the grain and the general shape and try to give a new and different life to what was once a beautiful tree.

Skelwith Fold
Ambleside

Ruth Charlton

Ruth’s work has always had a strong figurative element, with particular emphasis on facial expressions. She became interested in sculpting figures when she was studying ceramics at Bath Academy of Art in the late 70’s. Since then, most of her work has been on a small scale.

She creates miniature portraits in clay (mostly porcelain and white stoneware with the subtle use of underglaze tints for colour). Working in porcelain enables her to make fine, detailed faces but she also enjoys the freedom of working in a stoneware terracotta, producing more abstract figures.

Sue Dawes

I am a sculptor and painter working with watercolour, acrylics, oil pastels and mixed media.

With degrees in 3D design from Manchester University, my husband Ed and I established a ceramics workshop. We were commissioned to create historical reproductions for organisations such as The Royal Pharmaceutical Society and The British Museum. I have produced prototypes for Royal Doulton and Chatsworth House.

Evidence of my creativity manifested itself at a very young age and I haven’t stopped drawing, painting and sculpting since. As an adult I was always able to find work using my creativity, but being a professional artist with my own agenda was always my aim. I feel I have achieved that.

Up to now my painting has consisted mainly of watercolour landscapes and buildings, but recently I have been developing ideas and works using acrylics and oil pastels. Still landscapes and buildings but with a semi-abstract slant. I am also using my experience in the ceramics and sculpture fields to develop my 3D work.

My inspiration comes from the many forms of stonework in old buildings and walls. I have a great interest in standing stones too, and some of my work will b