Gema Skillicorn

BA (Hons) Artist Designer Maker


My work is a combination of hand sculpting and press moulding, as well as contrasting elements of three dimensional form in ceramic and ornamental illustration in liner pens.

My installation consists of large birds of prey wall mounted watching a gathering of smaller birds in branches, entwined with hand drawn filigree throughout each bird.

Inspired by home trends of minimalism and monochrome decor, my choice in palette for these ceramic birds has a contrast of matte black and iridescent white. As a cold finish, these colours were applied with gesso, raw graphite, and a combination of powders and spray paint.

My work interprets two very different outcomes from what the viewer decides individually. As a sufferer of anxiety and depression, I created the entire installation based on the quote fight or flight, the body’s natural reaction to fear and anxiety and portrayed this emotion as an awareness piece. I also wished to create something beautiful out of such a controlling emotion that could be displayed in the modern home. Interested in Konmari’s method in minimalism of only keeping things in the home that are needed or spark joy, I hoped these pieces would be a beautiful item that would be seen simply as a decorative piece that would fit into someone’s collection.


Mae fy ngwaith yn gyfuniad o waith cerflunio â’r llaw a gwasg-fowldio, yn ogystal ag elfennau cyferbyniol o ffurfiau 3-dimensiynol a darluniadau addurniadol a cheramig mewn peniau ‘liner’.

Mae fy ngosodiad yn cynnwys adar ysglyfaethus mawr wedi’u gosod ar wal yn gwylio adar llai yn ymgasglu mewn canghennau, a ffiligri wedi’i dynnu â’r llaw wedi ymblethu drwy bob un o’r adar.

Cafodd fy newis o ran palet ar gyfer yr adar ceramig hyn ei ysbrydoli gan y tueddiadau minimal a monocrom ar gyfer diwyg ein cartrefi, ac mae’n cyferbynnu du matte a gwyn symudliw. Ar y diwedd, cafodd y lliwiau hyn eu cynnwys yn oer drwy ddefnyddio graffit amrwd, gesso a chyfuniad o bowdrau a phaent chwistrellog.

Mae fy ngwaith yn dehongli dau ganlyniad gwahanol iawn i’r hyn y bydd y gwyliwr yn ei benderfynu yn unigol. Gan fy mod wedi dioddef â phryder ac iselder ysbryd, fe wnes greu gosodiad cyfan ar y dyfyniad ‘ymladd neu ffoi’ sef adwaith naturiol y corff i ofn a phryder, a phortreadu’r emosiwn yma yn ddarn ymwybyddol. Yn ogystal, roeddwn am greu rhywbeth hardd allan o emosiwn oedd yn dal cymaint o afael a allai gael ei arddangos mewn cartref modern. Gan fod diddordeb gen i yn null lleiafol Konman o gadw ond y pethau yn y cartref sy’n ennyn llawenydd. Roeddwn yn gobeithio y byddai’r darnau hyn yn eitemau hardd a gâi eu gweld yn syml yn ddarnau addurniadol a allai fod yn rhan o gasgliad rhywun.

Other Exhibitors:

Kelly Sorcha Handy

Kelly Sorcha Handy

I am a craftsperson and textile artist, from Eryri. My work is very process-led and I specialise in felting, surface pattern design, and weaving. The main themes of my work are home, identity, and ecology. This project has been an exploration of coping with grief and...

Ella Taylor

Ella Taylor

I am a maker that works with wood and ceramics. For this collection I have created pendant lights and table lamps. These products are presented as exclusive decorative pieces but are also entirely functional. I show the natural beauty of wood by enhancing its grain...

Miranda Vaughan Kett

Miranda Vaughan Kett

‘Like Salmon’ is a contemporary sculpture collection on the theme of nostalgia and longing. The pieces are displayed in the format of a Wunderkammer – making a museum of my own memories. The contents of each vitrine refer to a particular memory from my family’s...

Carla Prinsloo

Carla Prinsloo

We have recently witnessed a steep rise in discussions about mental health, but this is not matched by levels of support provided, I design and make objects that aim to support mental wellness. These objects use light as well as visual patterns and textures designed...

Mary-Morgan Griffiths

Mary-Morgan Griffiths

My art is a manifestation of my special interests and a way to honour and nourish my inner child whilst addressing topics of neurodivergence and mental illness. Inspired by natural phenomena, patterns and textures, my work often has visual and tactile elements to...

Millie Rose Belding

Millie Rose Belding

I am a Welsh artist and designer specialising in Ceramics and Textiles. My work focuses on promoting sustainability in the design and production of a series of decorative homewares. This design series is inspired by traditional Welsh blanket design, it seeks to...