Fran Marquis

As a ceramic artist, I am really interested in the transformative processes that happen to clay and how that relates to the changes that we all go through in our lives. I also take inspiration from local strata and other rock formations as well as exploring the local clays and how they can be used for functional and sculptural work.

Biography

I began my working life as a Psychologist and was employed in Universities in Research in the Midlands: Nottingham, Birmingham and Loughborough until moving to Scotland and having my family.

As my boys grew up I was lucky enough to have a second training and attended Duncan of Jordanstone Art & Design Faculty, part of Dundee University, to study Ceramics and Photography and then to teach ceramics for 3 years at Grays, part of Robert Gordons University in Aberdeen.

I now make my own ceramics for exhibitions, open studios, and Art Festivals. I teach weekend and 5 day classes and make commissions for coffee shops and individuals.

Resumé

My work has sold and been exhibited in a variety on Galleries and on-line exhibitions including: Larks Gallery in Ballater, Strathearn Gallery in Creiff, the Milton of Crathes Gallery by Banchory, The Barn Gallery by Perth, Queens Gallery in Dundee, Watermill Gallery in Aberfeldy, The Barony Centre in West Kilbride and Art Aboyne exhibitions.

I have been teaching ceramics for over 24 years in different contexts since graduation in 2000. Recently running classes from my studio at home in Arbroath. Previously I taught at Gray’s Faculty of Art & Design at Robert Gordons University for 3 years.

Process

My main practice is on the wheel making vessel forms, but I also alter the round forms by faceting and texturing the surface part way through the vessel’s formation, pushing from the interior of the vessel and distorting the surface texture. I sometimes remove a piece from the wheel return it off centre and re-throw the form, playing with symmetry and surprise.

I use an electric kiln for more predictable glazes and a gas kiln for reduction firing and to bring out iron speckles in the clay. Raku firing is also used sometimes for the excitement of direct involvement in the process. Since Summer 2021 a group of us were given bricks for a wood fire kiln and have enjoyed learning about it as a community through 3-4 firings a year and have begun to understand the Woodfiring process fully. The process has also led to more community building amongst all those people involved.

Sea colours and horizons, natural rock formations, eroded sandstone, exposed strata, dry cracked earth and caves all inspire me. I live, work and walk on scenic east coast Scotland so, this coastline, cliffs and shoreline, provides inspiration: geological and metaphoric.

The Covid crisis led to make ceramic work on the theme of lockdown and was inspired by many walks along the local cliffs. My “Coorie In” series of small pots fit on ceramic shelves and corners, isolating in safe spaces, as we were all being asked to do.

I also began to make “agateware” using the local red clay mixed with white clay and facetted. This work was shown at the International Soil Association Conference in June 2022 in Glasgow.

The pieces I create are mostly functional bowls and mugs, each one unique but within a collection. I love the idea that a basic meal, or hot drink can become really special by appreciating the vessels we choose.

Creative Community Projects

Hayshead Primary School 2020 Completing mural with children at local school
Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust ceramic community projects in hospitals and community groups including a 6 month residence at Cornhill Roxburgh hose in Perth, making artwork with patients in day care or the hospice part of the facility.
International School in Aberdeen 4 large murals completed with 500 Primary school pupils in 2008 for installation in new school building in Peterculter.
Employed by Whitespace in Schools and Hospitals around Aberdeen making murals with school groups and hospital groups. 2001 – 2005

In addition…

In Spring 2022 I received a VACMA award from Angus Council to explore the local produce of Arbroath Smokies and their inspiration on my ceramics.
I was awarded a Scottish Arts Council grant to study glass at Lybster in Caithness for 10 days with Magdalene Odundo in about 2004.
In 2001 I received a grant from Dundee Council to work with Adrienne McStay, a glass artist, on a visual research project which was exhibited at the Dundee Contemporary Art Centre in the Visual Research Centre.

Memberships

Member of Scottish Potters Association (SPA) since 1996 to present
SPA committee member for about 12 years (Previously Newsletter Editor, Chair and then Exhibitions Officer, now off the committee)
Member of Applied Art Scotland 2019 onwards
Associate Member of Craft Potters Association 2019 – present

Education – Ongoing from students and teachers

A Woodfiring course with Shirobey from Japan Woodfiring – September 2024
Fast firing kiln course at Oxford University Kilns with Prof Robin Wilson – October 2024
Independent Potters Programme at Vila Nova de Milefontes in Portugal with David Trueb including a 56 hour firing in his train kiln. October 2025
Clay Kitchen Portugal with Susanne Lukacs-Ringel, Winter, 2023
10 day course with Nic Collins and Sabine Nemet at the Barn Pottery, Moretonhampsted in Devon in September 2022 where we did wood and soda firings.
Eddi Curtis Course May 2019, La Meridiana, Tuscany, Italy
Shozo Michikawa Course at West Dean, Chichester June 2018
Jan – April 2016 “On Centre” course at La Meridiana, Tuscany, Italy
2005 MFA from Grays Art College, Robert Gordons University, Aberdeen.
1997 – 2000 Ceramics and Photography B.Des (2.1) Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee University, Scotland