Holly Clifford – Exhibition
September 7th – 28th, 2024 –The Courtney Gallery, Ashbourne DE6 1GH
September 2024 saw our 2023 Young Emerging Artist award winner, Holly Clifford of Contour Map Collection exhibiting her collection of her topographic pieces in Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
The show was part of the prize for winning the Peak District Artisans’ ‘Young Emerging Artist’ award. In addition to Holly’s work, the exhibition also included pieces by runners-up Becca Brown, Bel Holland and Matt Whiting, all of whom are talented ceramicists.
From her workshop at Yorkshire Artspace in Sheffield, Holly creates intricate metal relief maps celebrating our connection with the soil, sky & mountains. Using elevation data from iconic and meaningful locations, the contour lines are cut into metal then hand formed and finished to create striking and deeply personal works of art. On show were a range of her framed wall pieces and geographic silver jewellery, each displayed alongside an illustrated, labelled map of the area they depict.
“Maps are the perfect combination of beauty and functionality. I love that when you strip back all the other information and you’re just left with the mesmerising pattern of the contour lines, it’s already a piece of art. Out of context, you’ll likely not know what it represents, but once you do, you can connect with it on a different level – especially if the landscape holds memories for you.”