Photo Diary... Eloise White Tuscan Residency
Eloise White in the studio at Villa Lena, 2022.
JamFactory Associate Eloise White creates clay vessels using traditional hand-building techniques. As recipient of a travelling scholarship supported by JamFactory’s Medici Collective, Eloise spent the Italian Summer undertaking an artist residency and workshop in marble carving. This incredible experience is part of her professional development to expand her skills and shape her practice.
Photos by Ievgeniia Pavlenko and Gina Spinelli. Courtesy of Eloise White.
Villa Lena
I attended an Artist Residency at Villa Lena from 6th June to the 1st July 2022. Villa Lena is located two hours south of Florence, tucked away in the Tuscan hills. My role during this time was as a Creative Contributor which meant I taught ceramic workshops for up to an hour a day. I spent the rest of my time during this residency working in the ceramics studio to explore new forms. I have been intrigued to explore negative spaces within my forms. I created a series of seven vessels that all explore a different element in their form. This residency allowed me the time and space to switch off from the stresses of daily life to explore new ideas. I am excited to return to my studio at JamFactory so I can further develop these clay forms.
villa-lena.it
Villa Lena - Pieces created during the residency.
Villa Lena - In the studio making ceramic pieces
Villa Lena - Pieces created during the residency
Villa Lena - Artist headquarters
Marble Carving Workshop
Thanks to the support of JamFactory and the Medici Collective I was able to attend the Marble Carving Workshop from the 4th July to the 24th July 2022. Located in the Pietrasantra hills, Tuscany, it was only a 1 hour ride on the train from Pisa. Despite the mosquito bites and the heatwave that hit the whole of Europe, it was an incredible learning experience. I worked alongside 6 other international artists and we were instructed by Kylie Smith, founder of the Marble Carving Workshop. Kylie has over 40 years of experience in carving and 20 years of teaching workshops. She was a fantastic teacher and was assisted by her son, Sergio, also a sculptor. We were taught how to use a diamond saw to rough out our marble blocks, an air hammer to define the shape and then diamond sand paper to polish our pieces. The biggest benefit of attending this workshop is that it has challenged the way I think about the process of making with clay. Carving marble, a subtractive and delicate process, is the complete opposite to building with clay, an additive and forgiving process. I am excited to see what I create when I get my hands
back into clay.
marbleworkshop.com
Marble Carving - Finished piece
Marble Carving - Air hammering
Marble Carving - Process shot of carving the piece
Marble Carving - Studio tucked away in the Tuscan Hills