Ceramic Artist
Fran was born in Muloobinba/Newcastle when it was still a ‘steel city’ and studied industrial chemistry. Now an emerging, third-age, ceramic artist, her works reflect these influences, her love of science and the natural world, and also the rich experience of living and working in other countries for several decades, mostly Ireland and South Africa.
When she returned to Australia during the pandemic, the impact of bright light, vast panoramic landscapes and a sense of journey and home redefined her practice. Her current works are hand built and sculptural and employ strong geometric lines, often with repeated patterns in juxtaposition to more organic forms and many include wood. Contrasting light and shadow, all-white, textured tiles are key features of her large, wall-mounted works and represent deconstructed and variable perspective landscapes.
More recently Fran is interested in explorations of truth in a post-truth world.
Fran was a Highly Commended Finalist in the 2024 Hunter Emerging Art Prize. In the same year she also received an Honourable Mention in the World Stage Emerging Artist category at the biennial, international Clay Gulgong festival as judged by leading ceramics collectors and historians, Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio.
Fran joined Newcastle Artspace in 2024.