Conscious Dreaming

In 2019, with the support of the Arts Council of Wales, Aberystwyth University School of Art's Museum and Galleries invited us to make a body of work in response to the museum collection.

Over two visits (in 2020 and 2022), we spent hours exploring the wonderful collection. We were particularly drawn to the relatively unknown work of the early pioneer studio potter Frances Emma Richards (1869–1931) and the printmaker Christine (Chris) Penn (1943–2014), and the way their intriguing personal narratives emerge in their work.

The resulting exhibition – Conscious Dreaming – addresses themes of inspiration, and the process of generating ideas through the bold graphic prints of Christine Penn and the elegant forms of Frances Emma Richards’ ceramics.

Penn’s dreamlike prints are full of surreal narrative, something we were drawn to immediately, her style coming directly from her hand. While Richards’ ceramics are somewhat opposite: calming meditations when juxtaposed with the wild energy of Penn. Her restrained and considered colours and textures are applied to minimal yet complex pots.

Black and white decorative plate featuring two owls sitting on a branch, surrounded by leaves and intricate patterns.

Decorative ceramic horse sculpture with black, white, and yellow abstract patterns.

Black and white decorative horse sculpture with intricate geometric patterns.

Black and white illustration of a woman on a horse, with a stylized horse figure, surrounded by abstract patterns and lines.

Colorful ceramic sculpture of a horse with bold black and yellow painted patterns.

Decorative vase with abstract black, yellow, and gray patterns, including human figures and nature motifs against a white background.

Decorative ceramic vase close up with black and yellow abstract illustrations, featuring a yellow circle, black spiked shapes, and hand drawings.

Black and yellow decorative vase with abstract and figurative illustrations, including a face, animals, and patterns.

Decorative ceramic vase with black, white, and yellow tropical botanical patterns, including leaves and fruits.

Close-up of a decorated ceramic vase with colourful abstract patterns in blue, yellow, orange, and pink.

Colourful textile with a line drawing of a lion's face surrounded by abstract patterns and foliage in orange, yellow, green, and blue colours.

Colourful decorative vase with abstract and figurative art in pink, orange, green, purple, and yellow tones.

Decorative ceramic sculptures of cats with intricate patterns, featuring mushroom motifs, set against a white background.

Decorative plate featuring a stylised leaf and floral pattern in black, gray, orange, and yellow colours.

A black and white drawing of a man lying on his back with arms extended, under a black sun, with wavy background lines, and the words "Drowning Man" written underneath.

Decorative ceramic horse sculpture with black and yellow floral and animal prints on a white background.

Black and white illustration of two cats sitting next to each other, with intricate decorative patterns including faces with cat-like and human features, flowers, and text.

Decorative ceramic vase with abstract black, yellow, and white tribal-inspired patterns, featuring a bird and human figures.

Decorative vase with intricate black, white, and yellow abstract and figurative line art design including women, plants, and geometric patterns.

Decorative ceramic vase with intricate black, white, and yellow artwork featuring animals and abstract patterns.

Abstract black and yellow circular artwork with geometric and organic patterns, featuring stylized bird and eye shapes.

A transparent cylindrical container decorated with colorful illustrations of various animals and insects, including a lion, tiger, crocodile, giraffe, butterfly, and moth, on a white background.

Decorative pottery vase with abstract patterns in black, yellow, and white, featuring motifs of a face and animals.

Colourful decorative vase with black, white, and yellow abstract patterns and designs.

Decorative vase with colourful, abstract illustrations of a lion, monster, and plants.

Decorative ceramic vase with abstract nature-inspired colourful patterns including floral and animal motifs.

Colourful decorative vase with abstract illustrations of faces, animals, and various patterns in black, red, yellow, green, and purple.

A black and white circular illustration of a seahorse with intricate line patterns, surrounded by abstract wavy lines and shapes.

Decorative vase featuring a green lion with a tear, surrounded by intricate yellow, black, and green patterns.

Decorative vase with black and white abstract animal, horse, and floral patterns.