On Earth a Little Space

Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw, Llanbedrog, January 30th-March 20th 2022

My first solo exhibition ‘On Earth a Little Space’ brought together a new series of abstract vessels transmuted through fire, a mischievous reimagining of British country pottery traditions. Juxtaposing the traditional method of throwing on the potter’s wheel with unselfconscious improvisation, these forms are caught in digital glitches between familiarity and uncertainty. Cracked, pierced, and encrusted with wood ash, the vessels blur the boundaries between inside and outside space. As a result, they draw attention to the universal unifying nature of space between atoms, between other humans and between galaxies. 

The pieces above were all fired at the Oxford Anagama Project in an ancient style of Japanese tunnel kiln. The kiln is fuelled by wood and takes three days to fire, an arduous and highly technical process during which volunteers work in shifts day and night. The resulting colours are the outcome of interactions between iron, copper and carbon which are essential elements to the survival of all life forms on earth.

Ar Ddaear Gofod Bach

Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw, Llanbedrog, Ionawr 30th-Mawrth 20th 2022

Mae arddangosfa unigol gyntaf Elin Hughes ‘Ar Ddaear Gofod Bach’ yn dwyn ynghyd gyfres newydd o lestri haniaethol a drawsnewidiwyd drwy dân, ailddehongliad direidus o draddodiadau crochenwaith cefn gwlad Brydeinig. Gan gyfosod y dechneg draddodiadol o daflu ar olwyn crochenydd hefo byrfyfyrio anhunanymwybodol, mae Elin yn creu ffurfiau sydd wedi eu dal mewn glitches digidol rhwng cynefindra ac ansicrwydd. 

Wedi eu cracio, trywanu a’u crawennu gyda lludw coed tân, mae’r potiau yma yn pylu’r ffiniau rhwng gofod tu mewn a thu allan. Fel canlyniad, maent yn tynnu sylw at natur uno byd-eang y gofod rhwng atomau, rhwng bodau dynol eraill a rhwng galaethau.

Cafwyd llawer o’r darnau yma eu tanio ym Mhrosiect Odyn Anagama Rhydychen mewn math hynafol o odyn twnnel Japaneaidd. Mae’r odyn yn cael ei fwydo gyda choed tân ac yn cymryd tri diwrnod i’w danio, proses llafurus a thechnegol tu hwnt lle mae’r gwirfoddolwyr yn gweithio mewn shifftiau dydd a nos. Mae’r lliwiau yn ganlyniad o ryngweithiadau rhwng haearn, copr a charbon, elfennau sydd yn hanfodol ar gyfer goroesiad pob ffurf o fywyd ar y ddaear.