Debbie PROSSER

Deborah PROSSER
Debbie
1957

A ceramist of great skill and wit, Debbie was born in Canada, but arrived in Cornwall with her mother Ann in 1981, to establish her own potteries, and latterly to extend this to hand-printing of posters, poetry and small books. She worked first from the Lizard near Mawgan, and then at Penhalvean Pottery, Redruth, and now is re-building her studios near Penzance on the A30 leading toward Land's End. 

She was educated in England and studied ceramics at the West Surrey College of Art & Design, and at the Bath Pottery.

Her ceramics, whether useful small bowls, large platters, garden tables and barrel-stools, goblets or tiles all tell stories, and are referenced to classical and local history. The intense colouring in golds and yellows set a background for intricate paintings of Celtic design, people, animals, etc. making her work always distinguishable in any collection. 

One tour-de-force commissioned locally was the story of the legend of Matthew Trewhella and the Mermaid of Zennor in more than 300 handmade tiles, which she created for friends Melissa HARDIE and Philip Budden, who installed them into a completely tiled bathroom. 

Downsizing to a smaller studio has curtailed her ability to work with the very large objects (jardinieres and furniture) that she formerly produced, and though she continues to make and show smaller objects (Jamieson Library exhibition, summer 2009), in other venues. She has also produced some unusual printwork with wooden type and a large press.

She took part in the Andrew LANYON exhibition, Von Ribbentrop and St Ives, in London and at Kettle's Yard, Cambridge in 2011. In April 2012 she will be exhibiting her pottery at the Chelsea Arts Club, London.

media

Ceramist, printer

exhibitions

Jamieson Library, Newmill, Penzance (various solo and mixed exhibitions)

Von Ribbentrop and St Ives Exhibition, mixed exh with Andrew LANYON lead artist, Summer 2011

2012:  April, Chelsea Arts Club

2018: Primavera, Yew Tree Gallery, Pendeen (8 Apr-21 May)

references

Exh Cat: 20 Years of Contemporary Art at Falmouth Art Gallery 1980-2000

WCAA (file) & family information