Meet The Maker Behind the Smôl Vikings at Living North's Christmas Fair
York-based Schiewe Ceramics sells sculptures unique to you
Having launched her business at the start of this year, Sarah has found herself going back to her ceramic roots. Inspired by Grayson Perry’s work, she began to play with illustration on hand-built clay forms whilst studying for a degree. ‘When I was in the final year of my degree, there was a competition to make a bear [as a friend] for Grayson Perry’s bear Alan Measles, and it had to be based on an exhibition in York. I made a panda to befriend Alan Measles and I was one of the winners of the competition so I got to meet Grayson Perry,’ Sarah recalls.
Around 10 years later, Sarah has returned to ceramics and, on reflection, she’s realised she was pouring her emotions into her artwork as a form of therapy. With that in mind, Sarah now spends her time focusing on other people’s stories and what’s important to them when creating her work.
‘The aim of my work is to tell every individual story and to give people a voice, and look at their identity,’ she tells us. ‘I do this by having a consultation with someone and then I make a piece of art that’s both about them and for them. So each piece I make is unique. They are hand built with stoneware clay. The decoration method will depend on each piece. It could be stamping or embossing – it depends on what the piece calls for.’
Sarah also creates a collection of hand-crafted Smôl Vikings, inspired by York’s heritage and each representing a unique character. ‘All the characters are based on real people in York’s community,’ Sarah says. A typical day for Sarah begins by walking her dog and clearing her mind. ‘Then I’ll either be in the middle of hand building something or making little Vikings,’ she continues. ‘While I’m waiting for them to dry, in the afternoon I’ll jump on social media and see what’s happening in the community and how I can be involved. Especially with the nature of my work, it is product development but you find that if you become too much of a business person it impacts on what you want to make.’ Sarah’s advice for makers is ‘to understand who you truly are, because people who like art are buying into you’.
Sarah is passionate about creating in York, representing the city’s people, and says it’s an interesting place to live and work. ‘York has such deep heritage with Vikings, Romans and chocolate, but it’s also an up-and-coming place in the North for the arts,’ she says. ‘It’s actually a UNESCO City of Media Arts – it’s the only place in the UK to have that status. It’s a combination of its heritage with all the new arts and culture, and the big city life within the community where everyone knows everyone – it’s a really lovely place to live.’
At Living North’s Christmas Fair at York Racecourse from 14th to 17th November, Sarah will be selling a range of items including her Smôl Vikings, unique pieces inspired by people’s stories, and a bespoke Christmas range. She’ll also be selling a gift voucher experience to have your own piece made about you. ‘Profits from my work go back into creativity workshops for children who have confidence issues,’ Sarah concludes. ‘They get a hands-on experience in a sculpture workshop. I’ll be planning those out post-Fair.’
See more of Sarah’s creations at schieweceramics.org and shop yours at Living North’s Christmas Fair at York Racecourse (14th–17th November).
