
Selection of works
Lichen Collection


Iona creates functional and sculptural ceramic pieces exploring lichens as inspiration, which she can observe in her local rural area. The sculptural pieces are created using a variety of different ceramic techniques, including throwing methods to create crackled surfaces, specialist crawling and bubbled glazes and wild foraged materials. Iona has developed specific glazes and unusual techniques to replicate the textures and colour seen within lichens. Through the cracks in the vessels Iona has added embroidery, crochet and felting to enhance the pieces and to express thoughts about lichens in the natural world and their connection to the human being. Through the pieces Iona encourages people to become more environmentally aware yet also to explore ideas about relationships, the vulnerability and resilience of life.







Lichen Vases
Sunburst and Blackstone Flower Vases with textiles







Doddington Hall
Young Sculptures Award
"Frosted Fused Gold Speck Lichen Vessel"

Exploring lichens as inspiration, Iona creates functional and sculptural ceramic pieces that aim to encourage the viewer to become more environmentally aware, and to explore ideas about relationships and the vunerability to resilience of both lichens and human beings.
lichens are not a single organism, but a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi so closely interwoven they appear as one. Iona combines clay and textiles to represent this relationship: if either component was missing, her sculptures wouldn't exist.




Lichen Wall Pieces

Using lichen as inspiration, sculptural wall art pieces have been made using textured glazes, slips and textile elements. These pieces have been made to emulate how the lichens grow onto trees and walls.
They are named after the common names of the lichens from which they take inspiration.






