Beverley Irving

My research concerns gender stereotyping, its effects on children, and my own memories and experience.

I explore the relationship between ceramics and illustrative idioms. Drawing from influences such as feminist body politics to the stark truth of children's drawings, I create interdisciplinary narratives.

I am fascinated with society and experience. What starts out as a collection of stand-alone pieces soon become a coherent series of images, leaving only a sense of reflection. As naive figurative forms become mixed with themes such as sexism and tattoo culture though clay and deft line drawing, the viewer is left with a sense of introspection.

My practice is multifaceted. I evoke a false sense of security by using child-like aesthetics to address dark subject matter while considering reportage, editorial, and picture book illustration.

I connect with people through making and create spaces where conversations and communities can grow leading me to be awarded Outstanding Contribution to Academic Communities by the Faculty of Art and Humanities. I have worked on the international research project, Interfaith Childhoods, promoting belonging by finding common threads through art with children. I am also working with the fantastic volunteers of Mustard Tree creating objects in response to the feeling of friendship and community experienced there.

When working intuitively with materials, I create pieces intended for gallery spaces.