Halima Cassell

Ceramicist

©Chris Smart

©Martyn Eastwood

©Richard Tymon

©Laura Goode

Cross-cultural sculpture

Halima is a British ceramicist and stone sculptor based in Shropshire
Her hand-carved works fuse Asian and North African patterns
Architecture, mathematics and nature inspire her works

A member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors, Halima Cassell is among the UK’s most celebrated ceramic artists. Driven by geometrical patterns and principles of architecture, she crafts highly-recognisable carved creations in a very personalised style. The basis for Halima’s skill is hand-building her solid and thick-walled forms and adding patterns to bring drama and dynamism. A sense of movement is what characterises her works. Born in Pakistan, raised in Lancashire, and currently based in Shropshire, Halima incorporates her multi-cultural background into the sculptural objects that she makes. Her works are frequently exhibited in museums across the world and she is a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Interview

©Art UK Sculpture

©Emli Bendixen

Do you remember the moment when you first thought of picking up ceramics?: Yes, at the age of 15, my school art teacher inspired me and made me aware of the possibilities of having a ceramic practice as a vocation. The way I work developed from my journey of inquiry and my love of maths and architecture.
When and how did you actually start?: In 2002 I started off working from my one-bedroom flat where the majority of my costs were subsidised by workshops, talks and demonstrations, and where eventually many significant pieces were made before moving in 2007 to a more purpose-built space.
In what way is your craft linked to the territory?: Growing up in the north-west of England, the cities of Manchester and Liverpool were a great source of inspiration with their vast and beautiful moulded decorative buildings that are situated inside the town centre.
What was the first object you made?: Overlapping Petals was the first significant piece that I made in my career. I sold it to my school teacher at the current gallery price, who then shortly afterward commissioned another to go with it, called Converse Petals.

Halima Cassell is a master artisan: she began her career in 2002 and she started teaching in 2003