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Ceramic artist Chloe Charrington recently brought her installation Held Time to Llandaff Cathedral, creating a quiet connection between her work and the architecture of the building.
Here, Chloe reflects on the inspiration behind the work, her connection with the cathedral, and the experience of returning with her own work installed in a place she had previously visited simply to sit and think.
Chloe’s reflection
‘Held Time’ (on the right hand ledge in the Sanctuary)
by Chloe Charrington, ceramic artist
“My work explores stillness, material and connection. I make these vessels on the potter’s wheel, which I then cut, alter, re-assemble, and gradually transform into sculptural, ‘flattened’ forms.
Although each piece is unique, with subtle variations in texture and finish, I see the installation as a whole – a composition of forms, shapes and spaces, much like a three dimensional still life painting. And like a still life painting, these arrangements create a moment to pause. This feels particularly appropriate within a cathedral, a sacred place that naturally invites reflection and contemplation.
This installation came about after I completed an MA in Ceramics at Cardiff School of Art and Design, just around the corner from here. During my time there, I came here occasionally, to sit and think, and I was drawn to the craftsmanship of the stonework here, particularly the repeated chevrons and geometric patterns that follow the curves of the architecture. Each mark was made by hand, creating a rhythm that I see echoed in my own work through carved surfaces and subtle textures. The muted, stone-like tones of the ceramics also reflect the cathedral’s architecture, creating a quiet connection between the work and its surroundings.
To return now, with my own work installed here, feels very natural, and a great privilege. I hope the installation offers an opportunity to pause and look at the forms, the space around them, and recognise the enduring connection between the hand, the material and the act of making.”
Website: chloecharrington.com
Instagram: @chloe.charrington
