Gabrielle Naptali
ceramic sculptural features and wall work
About Gabrielle Naptali
Gabrielle Naptali is a Ceramic Sculptor and Mosaic Artist located in Scarborough UK's wooded hillside surroundings on the beautiful East Coast of North Yorkshire. The 'abundant garden', wildness in landscape & coastline, the proximity to the North Sea and the ‘space’ these provide often inspires her Modernist in style ceramic work. Also an influence is the elegant simplicity and natural pattern of the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau movements. Refering to her eternally optimistic nature;
'The ancient Taoists evolved the earliest philosophy of living harmoniously with people and nature, essentially the Yin & Yang, balanced path. Its an attitude to life.. I've used the two to clear my head of negative/damaging thoughts and it heals the body (using Taichi) - it's a voyage of being present, fulfilled and in peace with oneself.'
Gabrielle varies the scale of the often white porcelain, crackled, layered clay works, so they are perfectly placed in homes, gardens and therapeutic settings, as well as architectural and corporate spaces. The Zen like qualities and calming 'presence' evokes tranquillity, peace and contemplation. The clay is at the heart of the work, rarely using glaze, Gabrielle aims to draw the viewer face to face with the element and therefore ourselves.
Three greats grand daughter of skilled draughtsman and Victorian society portrait painter George Richmond, Gabrielle's work draws the past into an absolute present with unique results.
To arrange an appointment to visit Gabrielle’s Sculpture Garden see the contact page.
‘Who in this world can speak for nature and the spiritual energy that creates and flows through all life? … If we return to spiritual harmony and live from our hearts we can experience a paradise in this world.’ ~ Hopi prophesy ~
It is important for the works to connect with the personal, interacting with its place and as a focal point. At their best they inspire connection to the truth of the self.
"I care about the environment so try to limit the firing to once only. I use a variety of clays for their ability to express organic beauty; they represent the natural world and personal evolution".
Statement
I use bold yet simple forms to frame clay's natural qualities; light enhances the surface flaws and physicality of the crackled surface that comes from the layering process.
I aim to engage the viewer with the delicacy, strength and responsiveness of different clays, evidence of clay's intimate memory.
Looking at the past serves to inform the future.
"...at the still point, there the dance is..." Burnt Norton, TS Eliot
Points of reflection come when things change, providing frames of reference.
'Landmarks', boundaries and borders, intersections and connection points are vital, where times change and sections separate, in order to evaluate beginnings and endings.
NoitulovE installation Portrait of Three Generations is a 3 minute film of a ceramic and pixel-animation installation. More information can be found in the Gallery and Sculpture Section.
Purchasing directly from the artist through this site will save you around 20% of the cost through a gallery. Payment by instalments can be arranged.
Delivery to anywhere is available. Where there's a will there's a way!