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Reviews
This is what other people have to say about Jane's work.

Online Gardian - Susan Sandys
http://www.guardianonline.co.nz/arts/ceramic-artist-uses-complex-processes/


Southern Artists - Jill Nicholls
Jill Nicholls: Review of Jane McCulla works as guest artist at Anderson Park Spring Exhibition Jane McCulla. Guest artist Anderson Park Gallery Invercargill. October 2nd – 25th I was delighted when I heard that Jane McCulla would be showing her ceramic sculpture in Anderson Park and congratulate those responsible for inviting her as a guest artist. Jane has become a New Zealand resident after moving here from her native Ireland. She is highly qualified and exhibits in many prestigious galleries both in New Zealand and overseas. A welcome breath of fresh artistic air in our part of the world! The nine works shown here are part of a series reflecting Jane’s engagement with exploring her natural environment and processes which impact on it. Her notes tell us that she has spent many hours experimenting and studying the effects of such aspects as tide, wind and time as well as man’s marks on the earth’s surface. The form Jane has moulded is reminiscent of ancient Asian temple gates and Celtic structures yet could also be that of a canal barge. The addition of human made precise ‘metal’ fittings makes a wonderful counterpoint to her subtle surface treatments. The unusual glaze that Jane has developed enhances this richly worked surface which has motifs derived from both historical and modern sources. Soft aqua traces with warm honey coloured exposed clay on a background of matt soft white, hints at artefact and tradition yet these are intrinsically modern works. I found the effect made compelling viewing. I was however concerned at the unimaginative mounting of these very special pieces. Jane’s thoughtful interpretation of the natural landscape and man’s mark on it embodies great artistry and I feel it deserves a more sympathetic and appropriate showing. Perhaps the plinths could have been placed in a more open part of the room and well lit, giving the viewer the opportunity to see the works as the sculptural art that they are, rather than as ornaments placed, as some were, on a window sill or sideboard where only a portion of each could be considered. I would be interested to hear from other members who have an opinion on the above. Jill Nicholls Something Special Gallery, Riverton


Jam Jar Magazine - Jody Boggiani
Jane McCulla Ceramics, has magic in her fingers, working with clay is working with natural elements so it is not odd that Jane is inspired by mother nature her self, located in the Harbour of Lyttelton, coming from Ireland, Jane is forever trying new projects and designs. She is a heroine in productiveness and is found in galleries and workshops. Her pieces are currently being set up in Portico Lyttelton. You can find her on Fb as well as another fb page Lyttel People, an Art community project that Jane herself has founded. Jane’s Ceramics April 18, 2013


This Year at the Portage, Cone Ten and descending... - Moyra Elliott
Moyra, writing of Amy Gogarty writes..."Our Judge reflected, in her choices for awards, her responses to the use of words, knowledge of ceramic history and practice and background in painting. Her responses to surface renged widely from the graphic sensibility and restricted palette of Kim Henderson's crisply illustrated pair of large jars through to Jane McCulla's painterly, layered and abstracted piece of poetry and culture."...


The Portage Awards 2013 Catalogue - Amy Gogarty, Judge of The Portage Awards 2013
"Jane McCulla's Walking Within rewards patient viewing of its subtle tonalities, delicate texturing and coherent, considered form"


Ceramics Quarterly NZ Potters Volume 31 No 3 - Jane McCulla
Review of Woodfire Tasmania 2011, photographs and article by Jane McCulla


Vogue ( British) magazine January 2011 - advertising feature
Jane McCulla. "Mythic Voyager" stoneware ceramic sculpture by Ceramic Artist Jane McCulla. A unique focal point in your living space inspired by patterns and textures reflecting man's presence on the landscape, historic nautical travels and epic tales of adventure. Limited edition series of unusual and innovative ceramic sculptural forms and vessels. Visit www.janemccullaceramics.com


Canterbury Potters 37th Annual Exhibition, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch, New Zealand - Jo Howard
3rd November, Exhibition Opening Night. Jane McCulla won a Merit Award for her ceramic series, "Panorama Tread" , Jo Howard said Jane's latest series reminded her of a famous NZ artist Toss Woolston and his painterly style depicting NZ landscapes.


Ceramics Ireland Issue 2 08/2009 pg 27 - Felicity Straker Graham
Extracts from: Jane McCulla Profile. A Personal Dialogue With Nature. "Finding clay was an absolute epiphany for me"...Although her first introduction to the medium was only eight years ago, the inspirational themes her work is built on today have been fed by her lifelong appreciation and wonder at the earth we live on. " I really do see the earth as a cradle-for all of us. I love the marks made by generation upon generation of man and the entropy of the earth's continual disintegration and regeneration". Widely travelled and constantly curious, Jane's observations of anything from flaky paint to Arizonian rock strata, cave paintings in France, aborginal carvings in Australia and Irish standing stones are now visible in her powerful vessel/sculptures............ "I occasionally wonder if I started my involvement with clay a little late," Jane sighs. Considering what she has achieved in such a short time she should not worry, the work of this talented and dedicated lady can only go from strength to strength.


Tipperary Institute exhibition, "Eclectic" opening speech - Regina Dorney
"If you could take a moment to look at her collection "Rhythmic Traces", She explores the mark of mankind on the landscape and his vunerability to the whim of nature. One of the most intriguing aspects of her work is how these narrow, rounded bases can give balance to the broader areas at the top, encouraging the viewers eye to drift slowly over the surface. The piece that strikes me is called, "Shifting Sands" as it gives the effect of tidal forces in nature creating a myriad of inlets and everchanging streams. It is a stellar work, absolutely georgeous. These pieces are timeless, the earthiness of her work presents a curiousity about the natural world. Jane has also taken arial shots of the landscape, which she successfully transformed visually for the rest of us so that we can look at her pieces with wonder. These moments she has captured in time, give us an insight into her travels for example, Pompei the ancient city. She has picked her tools and created something unique to express her own spirit where she linked together her exploration of mankind's mark on the landscape today with his precarious presence of the past. This reflects his vunerability to the whim of nature. We come and go but the everchanging transient effects of mother nature still continue even long after we have gone. It's Turneresque. For me there is a correlation between both artists. Turner's work both visionary and revolutionary. It reminds me of Janes in how he on his travels captured in his works the elemental forces of nature. Turner went even further than the artists of his time, in abstracting light and color from his vision of nature. He was principally interested in capturing transient effects under different weather conditions, and for me personally one of his quotations best describes Jane's work. "We subconsiously build an internal and subliminal relationship with our surroundings as we connect with our environment". Jane has deninitely left her mark.


Newtownards Spectator Newspaper. Thursday 17th April 2008. Front Page. - Photograph of Sand Mandala with Greyabbey Primary School.
The Sand Mandala was created in Greyabbey Bay with children from a local Primary School as part of the Strangford Lough Spring Clean 2008. A total of four sand mandala beach drawings were made as part of the Strangford Lough Spring Clean 2008.


BBC Radio Ulster. Your Place and Mine. 8-9am 19th April 2008. BBC Website Podcast. - Caroline Nolan - Interview
As part of the Strangford Lough Spring Clean 2008, I was interviewed by Caroline whilst making a Sand Mandala drawing at Ballywalter Beach, Co. Down. Influenced by Land Art of the 1960 -70s and man's mark on the landscape I utilized the symbol of unity, represented by the sacred Buddhist Sand Mandalas. I held workshops in conjunction with the Strangford Lough Office, the National Trust and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust with local primary schools encouraging them to take care of their local environment around Strangford Lough, designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. There was also a Public Day organised on which a clay mandala form was made. This incorporated imprints from natural materials found on the beach and the participants footprints. The message was that on visiting the beach only your footprints, and no litter, should remain to be washed away by the tidal cycles.


The Clare People. Tue 11.03.08
The latest exhibition at the Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery is not to be missed....... Jane McCulla graduated from the University of Ulster. Influenced by the great Land Artists, and her own experience of remote landscapes and seascapes, Jane's ceramic forms reflect her sensitive exploration of mankind's mark on the landscape, and its vulnerability to the whim of nature....................


Newtownards Chronicle Thursday 9th August 07 - Crafts editor
Artists Wax lyrical at Ards Arts Centre Local Artists will be sharing their ideas and inspirations with the public on Wednesday August 15, at Ards Arts Centre, in an evening of discussion about creativity. Sign writer Brian O'Prey, Calligrapher Jacquie Brachi and Ceramicist Jane McCulla will be taking part in the event, sharing their inspirations as well as the practical aspects of working as professional artists. All three are well experienced in their own fields........ Ceramic Artist Jane McCulla takes inspiration from the great Land Artists and her own experience of remote landscapes and seascapes. Influenced by the Japanese Bizen technique, Jane has developed her own firing style to make ceramic pieces which go far beyond the description of pottery. .......This informal event is a great opportunity to learn about a variety of art techniques and skills involved in the work of some of the Ards Borough's most talented professional artists. You will also hear about the personal challenges and inspirations that have been part of their creative development. Ards Art Collective, in association with the Ards Arts Centre, have decided to make this a regular, quarterly event, building on the success of the first "Artist Talks" evening in May.


Ards Borough Council website - www.ards-council.gov.uk
A new exhibition of clay and ceramic sculpture graces the Tourism Information Centre, Portaferry. "Rhythmic Traces" is the work of Artist Jane McCulla, who describes herself as "fascinated with clay and its ecological and archaeological connotations". The exhibition runs from Friday 20th July -Sunday 19th August....Describing her work and inspiration for this exhibition, Jane felt that it reflected her sensitive exploration of mankind's mark on the landscape and his vunerability to the whim of nature. "Rhythmic Traces" is an exhibition in the "Art in the Loft" series, held in Portaferry Tourist Information and Visitor Centre, The Stables, Castle Street, Portaferry.


County Down Crafts Bulletin issue 95 Aug 07 pg3 - Felicity Straker Graham
Rythmic Traces- review. Jane McCulla's first solo exhibition of sculptural ceramics opened at The Loft Gallery in Portaferry, 21st Jan 07. ....."She lives close to the sea on the Ards Peninsula, walks in the Mourne Mountains and travels widely.....Her love of "the beauty, scale and miraculous intricacies of nature", and her experiences of remote landscapes are powerful influences. ...Her techniques, developed over the years, using layers of coloured, grogged, stretched clay, she creates an irregular form to which she then adds glass, various glazes, natural materials and marks that, when fired, create the texture and apperarance of her desired "landscape". The finished piece emerges from the kiln like a microcosm of a faraway, untamed place with entropic layers of elemental strata, mysterious sky reflecting pools and flowing rock forms. Continuously developing her skills, Jane is always open to new influences, new landscapes-even a lichen covered stone of the roadside. Like the ever changing planet she loves so much, she moves on.


Ceramic Review issue 223 Jan/Feb 2007 pg.40 - image
Image of degree show Unearthed Ceramic work- Rhythmic Traces


Ceramics Ireland issue 1 2007pg18-19 - Twy Miller
Unearthed Degree show at University of Ulster Jane McCulla is a big fan of nature, and the variety and colour that nature gives you is shown with some forcefulness in her grogged stoneware pieces. They are of irregular shape, but curving, flowing and have surfaces that could lead your mind away to faraway places. The surfaces portray calm, erosion, violence, water, uplifting and possibly some volcanoes. There is something of everything here that demonstrates what nature can and will do; these pieces are made with confidence and a full understanding of what the maker intended. The irregular curved shapes that hold these landscapes/seascapes are suitable the the task and have a softness that remind you of a piece of the planet.





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