Penny O’Brien

I am a ceramic artist living and working on Dartmoor, where the landscapes – ancient woodlands, weathered granite and hidden infrastructures shape my practice. Through sculptural ceramics, I explore the unseen systems that connect and sustain life, from mycelial networks beneath our feet to fibre-optic cables beneath the sea.

Working primarily through handbuilding and experimental processes, I use stoneware, porcelain and paperclay to develop sculptural forms. I am particularly interested in paperclay for its strength and lightness, which allows me to create larger, more open and structurally ambitious pieces. I turn complex, often invisible processes into tactile forms that encourage closer attention to what lies beneath the surface.

I recently completed an MA in Ceramics at Arts University Plymouth, where my work became increasingly sculptural and installation-based. This marked an important turning point in my practice, and I was honoured to receive the Dean’s Award in recognition of this work.