Sally Dunham
All of my work is unique and is individually handcrafted from clay using a mixture of Earthstone and Porcelain clay.
Each sculpture is constructed hollow using NO moulds or interior supports, using small slabs of clay pieced together almost like a patchwork quilt. The individual pieces can be seen in the finished sculptures giving them a lively, distinctive finish and tactile surface.
I enjoy working with a range of themes including figures and animals captured in a realistic way and my new range entitled ‘A moment with Mister Herbert’.
My love for art started at a young age, when I would spend hours creating models from fimo and fabric. My first real introduction to clay came when I started Sixth Form College in Cambridge and was given a choice of media in which to specialize. As soon as I touched clay I was hooked.
I remember carving into a block of clay to create my first figure, and my wonderful teacher, Neil, saying to me, "Remember, the figure is in there, you just have to discover it". This has always stayed with me. When I started my Degree course at the University of Wolverhampton, I spent two years experimenting with a range of techniques. Towards the end of my second year and the duration of my third year, my current style began to evolve and continues to develop to this day.
I am now in my 22nd year of business and am proud to have many collectors of my work. I am pleased to show my work through galleries to reach new audiences.
I returned to my hometown of Soham fifteen years ago where I have set up my studio. I enjoy creating a range of human and animal figures using my patchwork style of building with clay and am having fun thinking of new adventures for Mister Herbert! My work style is unique and is distinctive as a Sally Dunham creation.
My enthusiasm for creating is stronger than ever and my main constraint is finding time to produce all the ideas I have as I am continuously inspired by the world around me, things I see and people I meet!
I enjoy working on a range of themes and also enjoy the challenge of personal commissions, often creating portraits of individuals, families and pets. I thrive on the test the creation of each new piece brings and find working with a range of figures and animals keeps each new piece alive.
