Fiona Holmes learnt about clay from her father Treston Holmes and now creates sculptures, jewellery and pots at the family pottery at Kenley Studio and Art Gallery in Waterrow, Somerset.  

Being creative and making 3 dimensional artefacts has been part of Fiona's life since she was a small child. Fiona studied Design Technology at University developing an interest in design, materials and mechanisms. During her degree she discovered an interest in the intellectual and phylisophical side of problem solving and this underpinned much of her working life leading her into change managment, working with complex families and supporting children, families and communities gain access to better outcomes.

During her career she retained her interest in the creative arts, sculpture and the human form. Since retiring from her first career in 2015 she has been mentored by her father learning how to:  throw, use different decorative techniques, use the equipment in the pottery and manage and build a pottery and art gallery. Although she now enjoys throwing her main interest is still with sculpture and hand building.

A small amount of her work is on sale at Kenley Gallery, Waterrow, Somerset. If you would like to visit please email kenleyarts@gmail.com and she will put you on the mailing list so you can here when we are opening. We expect to open in September 2024

The area that Fiona enjoys most and is most skilled at is handbuilding. This includes the use of different materials, armatures and decorative techniques. Fiona uses both internal and external armatures with a variety of clay bodies.

"I would not describe myself as an artist but more a collector of skills and techniques."

The slide show below shows the development of a piece using a high grog content clay, an internal armature and the use of a decorative technique inspired by tangling. 

These photographs are all taken from the first show where these pieces were exhibited. These sculptures now have homes in the main house or have been gifted and are not on public dispaly in the gallery.

Fiona describes these sculptures as her three dimensional diary. They capture moments during her working life and are very personal. These are all early pieces and were created between 1991 and 2010.