Over three days in May, Catchlight curated its first show with works by Amy McMillan, Elise Ovanessoff and Sophie Balhetchet.

After seeing Amy McMillan’s work at a grad show at Mall Galleries showing ceramic sculptures of metamorphic female figures engaged in mythic rituals, I commissioned a piece and have collected Amy’s work since.

Elise Ovanessoff is a practising architect whose HQ is also her home which is an ever-changing, uniquely original installation, illuminated by her handmade light fittings, elegant utilitarian tableware and playful embroideries.

My recent focus has been on the contrasting properties of white porcelain paper clay and black stoneware – paper clay’s resilience lending itself to delicate yet dynamic constructions; the black clay’s density inviting a hollowing-out process, or Kurinuki as the Japanese traditional method is called.  Also porcelain tablet paintings combining watercolour and mono-printing techniques with high-firing.

When Elise offered Catchlight to show at Works Architecture – housed in a beautifully proportioned Georgian building in central London – the dream of a salon-style show of domestic scale was realised.

We installed over two days – our different but complementary aesthetics (including beachcombing finds, pressed flowers, stones, slates and fabrics) provided the stages and sets for our work which combined to make new associations and narratives.

Taking place over three Open Days, in a rare patch of brilliant May sunshine, some 300 visitors attended – with inspiring conversation, new commissions and many pieces travelling on to live in their new homes.

Video: Thanks to Bertrand Moullier (photography) and Joe Ahearne (editor).

Sophie Balhetchet