2D Design, Drawing & Painting
Alongside sculpture, my drawings & paintings are also examples of my artwork.
‘There’s a flatness of perspective in Appleby’s works reminiscent of Abstract Expressionism but with a dramatic centre set against a calm, mathematical background – nature and the man-made clashing but cohabiting perhaps’
Bob Chaundy
I see my paintings as part of the same artistic practice and have never separated the two. I am always thrilled to see both art forms exhibited together. I think it is interesting for an audience to experience the whole artistic practise as it deepens awareness and understanding.
"I've been aware of Rebecca’s work and have watched with interest how it has developed in recent years. Her ceramic forms have a great dynamism and are well supported by her exploration of form, both in her drawings and her card maquettes. I first became aware of her work through the exhibition ‘Urban Traces’ at Gallery Oldham in 2011, and seeing it in that context helped me to understand her sources of inspiration and what she was trying to say through her sculptures and vessels.
Rebecca’s exploration of industrial and urban structural design has strong connections with York Art Gallery’s fine art collection (eg. our topographical works and more contemporary works) and also some of our studio ceramics such as Bryan Newman’s constructivist style sculptures and pieces by Gordon Baldwin or Alison Britton with their abstract almost graffiti like markings. Like artists such as Baldwin, she uses the process of drawing and painting to inform and develop her ideas for ceramic objects.
After a number of years of hard work, exploring ideas, materials and techniques, as well as presenting her work to the public through exhibitions and fairs, I feel that Rebecca has shown her commitment to a career as an artist and am delighted to have examples of her work in the collection and look forward to putting them on display in CoCA."
Helen Walsh, Senior Curator of Ceramics, Centre of Ceramic Art, York Art Gallery
