Jo Gifford
- Work
- Biography
Jo Gifford uses clay to explore ideas around boundaries, containment and categorisation. With the vessel as a starting point she works in porcelain and stoneware to give a physical presence for her ideas to take shape. Fascinated by the containing function of the vessel and its connotations with the human body, where external surface and shape are often the defining characteristics rather than what is contained; she plays with these aspects trying to destabilise or reinforce them.
Often working in sequence, she is interested in how we view the individual as a distinct entity and what happens when it becomes part of a group or a larger whole. Do we perceive its inherent characteristics or those relative to what is around it?
She uses a process led, material based practice where the hands on act of making is integral. The slow repetitive process of working with the clay is important perhaps as a reaction to the fast consumer led culture we live in. A way of slowing down, taking time and making something that holds time, care and the touch of the human hand within it.
Often working in sequence, she is interested in how we view the individual as a distinct entity and what happens when it becomes part of a group or a larger whole. Do we perceive its inherent characteristics or those relative to what is around it?
She uses a process led, material based practice where the hands on act of making is integral. The slow repetitive process of working with the clay is important perhaps as a reaction to the fast consumer led culture we live in. A way of slowing down, taking time and making something that holds time, care and the touch of the human hand within it.
Formerly a practicing doctor, Jo Gifford graduated with a degree in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Arts in 2015. She now lives in Kirriemuir, Angus where she has set up her studio.
Group Exhibitions:
2025 Meffan Winter Show, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
2025 Potfest Suffolk, Haughley Park, Suffolk
2025 Gallery Heinzel Summer Exhibition 'Continuum', Aberdeen
2024 Meffan Winter Show, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
2024 SSA 126th Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2024 Roots and Wings, Scottish Potters Association collaboration with Gallery Heinzel and Manar House, Aberdeenshire
2024 Festival Exhibition, Graystone Gallery, Edinburgh
2024 Potfest Scotland, Scone Palace, Perthshire
2024 VAS RSA Centenary Show, RSA, Edinburgh
2023 SSA 125th Annual Exhibition, The Maclaurin Art Gallery, Ayr
2023 Meffan Winter Show, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
2023 Potfest Scotland, Scone Palace, Perthshire
2023 Angus Creatives Open Exhibition, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
2022 North, Visual Arts Scotland's Members Exhibition, Inverness Creative Academy
2022 Meffan Winter Show, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
2022 Telling Tales, Arbroath Library
2022 Wild Clay Exhibition, Glasgow SECC
2022 Ballad to the Water, The Watermill Gallery, Aberfeldy
2022 Potfest Scotland, Scone Palace, Perthshire
2021 Potfest Scotland, Scone Palace, Perthshire
2020 Bring in the Light, Tatha Gallery, Newport-On-Tay
2018 Space To Grow, Scottish Potters Association, Barn Gallery, Bield at Blackruthven
2016 Innovations in Ceramic Art, Guild Hall, Cambridge
2015 ProCreate Project Launch Exhibition, Women's Art Library, London
2015 FloatArt, London
2015 Fine Art Degree Show, Chelsea College of Arts, London
2015 Angels Fighting Devils, Park Theatre, London
2014 Xhibit2014, Art Bermondsey, London
2014 Embodiment, 40 St Peter's Street, London
2013 Squint, Portico Gallery, London
Group Exhibitions:
2025 Meffan Winter Show, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
2025 Potfest Suffolk, Haughley Park, Suffolk
2025 Gallery Heinzel Summer Exhibition 'Continuum', Aberdeen
2024 Meffan Winter Show, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
2024 SSA 126th Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2024 Roots and Wings, Scottish Potters Association collaboration with Gallery Heinzel and Manar House, Aberdeenshire
2024 Festival Exhibition, Graystone Gallery, Edinburgh
2024 Potfest Scotland, Scone Palace, Perthshire
2024 VAS RSA Centenary Show, RSA, Edinburgh
2023 SSA 125th Annual Exhibition, The Maclaurin Art Gallery, Ayr
2023 Meffan Winter Show, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
2023 Potfest Scotland, Scone Palace, Perthshire
2023 Angus Creatives Open Exhibition, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
2022 North, Visual Arts Scotland's Members Exhibition, Inverness Creative Academy
2022 Meffan Winter Show, Meffan Museum and Art Gallery, Forfar
2022 Telling Tales, Arbroath Library
2022 Wild Clay Exhibition, Glasgow SECC
2022 Ballad to the Water, The Watermill Gallery, Aberfeldy
2022 Potfest Scotland, Scone Palace, Perthshire
2021 Potfest Scotland, Scone Palace, Perthshire
2020 Bring in the Light, Tatha Gallery, Newport-On-Tay
2018 Space To Grow, Scottish Potters Association, Barn Gallery, Bield at Blackruthven
2016 Innovations in Ceramic Art, Guild Hall, Cambridge
2015 ProCreate Project Launch Exhibition, Women's Art Library, London
2015 FloatArt, London
2015 Fine Art Degree Show, Chelsea College of Arts, London
2015 Angels Fighting Devils, Park Theatre, London
2014 Xhibit2014, Art Bermondsey, London
2014 Embodiment, 40 St Peter's Street, London
2013 Squint, Portico Gallery, London
- Jo Gifford
- Ambiguous Object 61
- Ceramics
- Jo Gifford
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- Ceramics
- Jo Gifford
- Ambiguous Object 47
- Ceramics
- Jo Gifford
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- Ceramics
- Jo Gifford
- Experimental 1
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- Pitfired Vessel 182
- Ceramics
- Jo Gifford
- Ambiguous Object 156
- Ceramics
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