N I C O L A C O N T R E R A S

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Qualified with a BA Hons Fashion Design and Textiles degree,Nicola worked for 10 years in fashion design and colour forecasting which took her to India,the Far East and USA.While living in New York she explored ceramics and wheel throwing, and on returning to London she concentrated on coiling.This primitive organic work was first shown at The Dagmar Gallery Dulwich in October ’91 and the first translucent porcelain work at Gainsborough House Suffolk in December '91.

Nicola moved her studio to Mersea Island in 1996 where the wild skies and sea, tidal sand and mud continue to be a natural influence.Through the refinement of carving and glazing, the work still maintains an organic presence.

Chelsea Crafts Fair '98 increased interest from galleries and from then on Nicola exhibited in Europe, the USA, and at galleries around the UK, including Yorkshire Sculpture Park Bothy Gallery, Kenwood House in London and Leeds City Art Gallery.

PUBLICATIONS AND LINKS

www.craftcentreleeds.co.uk/ceramicscontreras.htm

Country Living Shoestring Chic by Gail Abbott 2004

Buyers' Guide to Contemporary British Studio Ceramics ' 99, 2002

White Hot' by Tricia Guild 1999

BBC Homes and Antiques June 2003

Ideal Home Magazine July 2003

The East Anglian Daily Times Magazine May 1999

Homes and Gardens May1993 Feb 1999 Aug 2000 Feb 2002

Mail on Sunday You Magazine Oct 1997

House Beautiful USA Dec 1995

Elle Decoration March 1995

Designers Guild Brochure 1994

 

EXHIBITIONS Solo and 2 Person Shows

Colchester Open Studios 2007, 2008

Norfolk & Norwich Hospital showcase 2005

City Art Gallery Leeds Solo showcase 2003

Eton Applied Arts Windsor 2 person show 2001

Yorkshire Sculpture Park with Matty de Vries 2000

Inkpen Downie Architecture&Design Colchester Essex Solo show 1999

Chelsea Crafts Fair London 1997, 1998

Accent on Design' New York Int Gift Fair 1994, 95, 96

Oriel 31 Gallery Welshpool Wales + June Redfern 1993

GALLERY / SHOP STOCKISTS / GROUP SHOWS

Mersea Island Cookery School continues 2011

Art Cafe West Mersea Essex continues 2011

Colchester Open Studios 2007, 2008

Tillinghm Music Festival Exhibition 2005

Salty Dogs Maldon Essex 2004

Suffolk Crafts Society Bury St Edmunds Suffolk 2004

North House Gallery Manningtree Essex 2003

Contemporary Crafts Kenwood House London 2003

Rufford Craft Centre Nottingham "Raw" 2002

New Ashgate Gallery Famham Surrey 2002

Nick Allen Gallery Battersea Bridge Rd London 2002

The White Gallery 86-87 Hove Brighton '98-2001

Cecilia Coleman St. John's Wood London '98-2002

Piers Feetham Gallery FulhamRd London '98- 2000

Little bowls. Translucent porcelain + pearly colours 2006

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Palm tree vase . coiled porcelain 2003

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