Beverly Porter

Beverley took part in the very first Emerging Artist Awards in 2019. Her work is deeply rooted in ceramics, though she also practices painting and drawing. Her artistic approach focuses on surface textures, with clay as her primary medium. She describes working with clay as "a good lesson in patience," emphasizing the care required in each step of the creative process. Beverley finds joy in the tactile nature of clay, explaining, "I love figurative work, the landscape shapes us, but we shape the landscape as well; it’s a two-way thing."

In her role as an art technician at a local academy, Beverley supports the creative growth of students aged 11 to 18 by demonstrating clay-handling techniques and helping them progress in their ceramic work. She also regularly attends life drawing classes, incorporating her sketches and observations into her artistic practice. The hands-on nature of her work with students further enriches her creative approach, blending technical expertise with her passion for artistic education.

Artistic Background

Beverley’s artistic journey began in childhood, with her grandfather encouraging her to draw and paint. Art was always a part of her life, though early on she was told that pursuing it professionally had "no way forward." It wasn’t until after raising her two children that Beverley rekindled her love for creativity by attending weekly painting and drawing classes at an adult education center.

Her rediscovered passion led her to Dewsbury Batley School of Art and Design, where she completed a foundation course with distinction and found her true artistic voice through ceramics. She went on to pursue a BA honors degree in applied arts, graduating with first-class honors. During this time, she also worked as a special needs assistant, often integrating arts and crafts into her work with children. Beverley’s artistic career flourished when she was awarded an 18-month artist residency at Dewsbury Batley School of Art and Design. This was followed by her role as a pottery instructor at an adult education center and her current position as an art technician at a local academy.

Much of Beverley’s work is influenced by her Yorkshire heritage, where the landscape plays a pivotal role in shaping her creative output. The textures of the Yorkshire moorlands, coastline, and flagstones serve as inspiration for her sculptures, which often explore the relationship between humans and the natural environment. "I love seeing the contrasts, all the pebbles and the different patterns in the sand when the tide’s gone out, and it’s left all these ribbon-like textures. It’s fascinating," she says, highlighting her deep connection to the textures and patterns found in nature.

Beverley’s work also touches on broader themes, including life, death, and our eventual return to the earth. Her sculptures reflect on human fragility and our transient existence, often incorporating missing limbs or heads to symbolize this delicate balance. Historical and cultural subjects, such as the seven deadly sins and figures like Britannia and Dick Turpin, also feature in her body of work, enriching the narrative she weaves through her art.

Beverley’s participation in the 2019 Emerging Artist Awards, marked a significant milestone in her career. Her submission consisted of 10 sculptures that explored the theme of human fragility, illustrating how we come from the earth and eventually return to it. The missing limbs and heads in her sculptures served as a visual metaphor for the vulnerability of human life.

Being shortlisted for the awards was a validating moment for Beverley, boosting her confidence as an artist. "It’s validation that somebody’s actually selected your work on its own merits. They’ve chosen yours above hundreds of entries. I was very honored about it, it boosted my self-confidence," she recalls. Her experience with SCAF was not only rewarding but also deeply supportive. "I thought it was so supportive. It was nice to feel like you belong to an organisation or a little community of people," she adds. Beverley remains grateful for the opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded creatives through SCAF.

Since her participation in the Emerging Artist Awards, Beverley has continued to develop her body of work, exhibiting both locally and internationally. She has created personal pieces, including a wedding gift for her daughter and a retirement present for a colleague. Her work has been displayed at the Lacuna Art Festival in Lanzarote, as well as in prominent galleries in Yorkshire, such as Sunnybank Mills, Roundhay Park, and Waterstreet Gallery in Todmorden.

Beverley’s connection to the Yorkshire landscape remains a driving force in her art, with natural textures continuing to inspire her sculptures. She regularly develops new sketches and ideas, staying engaged in the creative process and pushing the boundaries of her practice.

Future Aspirations and emerging Ambitions

Looking ahead, Beverley aspires to focus on her artistic career full-time, with the goal of exhibiting her work more extensively. "I want to keep creating, keep exhibiting, and see where this journey takes me," she says. With a wealth of ideas and projects on the horizon, Beverley is committed to further refining her craft, exploring new themes, and sharing her unique vision through future exhibitions. Her journey as an artist continues to evolve, shaped by the landscapes and textures that have always inspired her.