GALLERY

VIRGINIA DOWE

Virginia Dowe has always loved dogs. From the age of two 'Tolly', a Labrador cross Irish Setter, and Virginia were inseparable. Until 'Tolly's' death when Virginia was eighteen. Considering "Tolly" was more like a brother than a dog it is no surprise that he still provides a lot of the inspiration for Virginia's work. Another source of inspiration is her mother's Labrador cross Springer Spaniel, 'Polly', who Virginia describes as the perfect artist's muse with big paws, big ears and a slightly neurotic personality. 'Vegas', Virginia's new Parson Russell puppy, is currently being introduced as a model as well.

Virginia's dogs start their lives as hollow extruded tubes of clay, which she then cuts and forms into shape. She starts with the body, filling it with newspaper to maintain the shape, and leaves it until it is dry enough to support the rest of the dog's appendages. When joining limbs to the body Virginia leaves a torn or cut edge, which is intended to show how the clay she is using is put together. The combined characteristics given to the dogs, by both the clay and Virginia, ensure that each dog is unique. After the clay has dried the sculptures are put into an electric kiln and fired to 1160c. They are then smoke-fired in a small, lidded brick built pit, which is packed with newspaper, colour supplements and sawdust and left to burn for a few hours. The spotty and patchy dogs that she produces are the result of masking areas, where she doesn't want the smoke to go, with clay and silver foil.

Virginia's education includes a General Art & Design Diploma from Suffolk College and an BA(Hons) in Three Dimensional Design specialising in Ceramics from the University of Wolverhampton.