My work in ceramic sculpture and painting begins with the land, its textures, histories, and enduring presence. I am inspired by the layers of story held within the earth: traces of time, memory, and human touch that shape both landscape and identity. Through clay and pigment, I seek to translate this sense of place into form and surface. The materials themselves carry the language of the ground, clay pulled from the earth, minerals turned to colour, each mark and firing a reflection of elemental transformation. My process is intuitive and tactile, guided by the dialogue between material and maker. I want my work to move viewers beyond observation, inviting them into a shared space of reflection and connection. Beneath each piece lies a story of belonging, change, and continuity echoing the quiet, powerful relationship between people and the land they inhabit. These pieces are offerings: small acts of remembering, grounding, and connection between body and earth, between now and what came before. Valerie James 2025