clay in vivo

About

Clay in vivo brings together eight artists who work with clay to explore ideas that have, at their heart, its materiality, raw energy and plasticity - as well as its ability to hold memory and tell stories.

All the works in the show celebrate unfired clay, which gives rise to the possibility of change and transition over the course of the exhibition. This process of transition is further manifested in how the artists approach clay, using its unique qualities to embody a liminal state.

Barbara Beyer draws on clays archaic roots, Mary Branson fuses it with sound to create immersive installations. Sandy Layton and Beatrice Galletley each examine dualities, flux and polarity through contrasting forms and surfaces. Desa Philippi constructs fictional architectures from clay fragments, while Lisa Snook captures unconscious emotions in tactile expressions. Livia Spinolo uses clay as a medium for environmental awareness, whilst Stathis Dimitriadis curates all these diverse voices into an immersive story told through the language of clay.

Clay in vivo goes beyond the usual exhibition to offer visitors a hands-on creative experience with clay through workshops and performances, which unfold clay’s capacity to connect, heal, shape and reimagine our world. A panel discussion chaired by Tessa Peters will reflect on the vitality of clay as a catalyst in the collaborative outcomes of these artist-public interactions.

Exhibiting Artists Barbara Beyer, Mary Branson, Stathis Dimitriadis, Beatrice Galletley, Sandy Layton, Desa Philippi, Lisa Snook, Livia Spinolo.

ASC Art House Gallery, Grafton Rd, Croydon, CR0 3PR 2-14 September 2025, Thursday - Tuesday: 1-6pm

Free Events with Eventbrite booking:

> Transforming Clay (Sandy Layton): Friday 5 Sep, 2–4pm

>Memory Bells: A Clay Sound Workshop (Mary Branson): Sunday 7 Sep, 2–4pm

>Touching Emotions - quick gestures in clay (Desa Philippi): Saturday 6 Sep & Sunday 14 Sep, 2–4pm

>Healing Clay (Lisa Snook): Friday 12 Sep, 2–4pm

>Sheltering Clay (Barbara Beyer): Saturday 13 Sep, 2–4pm

>Panel Talk (chaired by Tessa Peters): “Why Raw Clay? Reclaiming the tactile, the collective, and the immediacy in art practice.” Saturday 13 Sep, 4:30–6:30pm