Craig Fletcher

Viewers new to Craig Fletcher’s work frequently believe they are looking at the actual object, be it pebble, bumblebee or seaweed without realising that they are the creation of the ceramicist.  His plaques are low-relief sculptures washed with watercolour, occasionally highlighted with gold leaf.

They begin as a pencil drawing on paper. This is drawn onto a slab of clay which becomes the original sculpture.  Once completed, up to fifteen impressions are made in the clay so destroying the original. These are fired, emerging from the kiln pure white, ready to be painted by Craig.  Some of these images are also cast into bronze, patinated and gilded.

Craig is currently working on materials, subject matter and palette of colours that all have naturalness, earthiness and purity.  These qualities are abundant around the coastline and hillsides where Craig made his home in the South Island of New Zealand for fifteen years after arriving from England via Australia.  Craig and his family now reside in Auckland- a move prompted by the Christchurch earthquakes.

A professional artist for over twenty years, Craig had participated in numerous exhibitions in New Zealand and overseas and has been recognised with awards from both the print industry and the arts community.

Craig’s latest venture is into jewellery making, using exactly the same techniques used for his wall pieces. The result is beautiful and fascinating works of art to be worn-pendants earrings and brooches.