Rusty red posts on Torry Battery might not be classed as a work of art to many but to ceramicist Mags Gray, they are a powerful source of inspiration.
Proving that beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, the Aberdeen artist’s love of the unusual is reflected in her striking ceramic homeware collections.
From quirky jugs and vibrant bowls to colourful pot plants and Japanese inspired porcelain pods, the homeware Mags creates brings an otherworldliness into people’s homes.
“Originally I did ceramic narratives which are based on stories and political issues but they’re more for exhibitions so I started doing homewares like bowls, pots and jugs,” said Mags.
“I love making jugs because they’re not just your normal jugs and pots, I would call them homeware but with an edge as they’re a bit bonkers.”
Art school ambition
Growing up in Portglenone in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Mags spent her childhood dreaming of going to art school, even bunking off school to go to art galleries.
But as tradition would have it in those days, Mags was encouraged to set her sights on nursing instead.
“I wanted to go to art school but I wasn’t allowed to,” said Mags.
“My family wanted me to be a nurse or a teacher, it’s a very old fashioned thing.
“I think the thought of going to art school was a bit frivolous at the time.”
Falling in love with Aberdeen
After leaving school Mags became a nurse, a career that took her to London where she met her Aberdonian husband.
“That’s what took me to Aberdeen,” said Mags.
“That was in the 1970s so Northern Ireland wasn’t a happy place at the time so we moved to Aberdeen to settle down and have our family.”
Following her dreams
From the moment Mags arrived she fell in love with the Granite City and the sense of freedom that came with it.
“I absolutely loved the place, it’s great to be beside the beach and to have the hills on our doorstep.”
Settling well into life in the north-east, Mags went on to have two sons and continued to work as a nurse.
Life for Mags changed forever when her husband and sons encouraged her to follow her dream of going to art school.
“Due to health reasons I couldn’t continue nursing and that was when my son said “mum go to art school now” because he knew I always wanted to go.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.”
Gray’s School of Art
Taking a leap of faith, Mags enrolled in a 3D Design course at Gray’s School of Art at Robert Gordon University and hasn’t looked back since.
“I absolutely loved my four years at Gray’s, it was brilliant,” said Mags.
“It was obviously very educational as it opened a whole new world to me.
“I felt it was where I was supposed to be.”
Love of pots
From jewellery making and textiles to photography and painting, Mags got the chance to try out lots of different art techniques.
But it was ceramics which stole her heart.
“I’ve always had a love for pots and stuff like that,” said Mags.
“One of my aunts had a great collection of ceramics and as a kid when we would go round her house and look at things and I would think, nobody else has got stuff like this.
“It was just brown pots but I loved them.”
Deemouth Artists Studio
Following graduation, Mags became Maker in Residence at the university before setting up her own business Mags Gray Ceramics.
“I have a studio at Deemouth Artists Studio in Torry and it’s the best possible place to be,” said Mags.
“It’s such a good community, there’s about 30 studios across two different buildings – it’s just a great creative community.
“Allan Watson and Peter Baxter who run the studios have been a godsend for Aberdeen.”
Gillian Ayres
Having her own studio has given Mags the creative space to focus on her collections which as well as being inspired by urban places, are fuelled by her love of 1950s textiles and the work of the late abstract painter Gillian Ayres.
“I have a collection inspired by an abstract painter called Gillian Ayres, I love her work,” said Mags.
“She was one of the first female UK abstract artists.”
This year, Mags is looking forward to exploring some different artistic processes.
“At the moment I’m looking into prints which I haven’t really done before and also doing more painting on my pots as well,” said Mags.
Mags is also excited about the forthcoming opening of the dolphin spotting Greyhope Bay Centre at the Torry Battery.
“It’s going to be an educational centre with a coffee shop and some of us from Deemouth Artists Studio will be taking workshops there for all ages to do with the sea, the environment and the history of Torry Battery.”
To find out more about Mags Gray Ceramics, check out her website or Instagram page.
Or for more about the forthcoming Greyhope Bay Centre, check out their website.