Frances Priest, an Edinburgh-based artist, crafts vivid ceramic vessels, sculptural forms and tiles that celebrate the rich potential of pattern...
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Frances Priest, an Edinburgh-based artist, crafts vivid ceramic vessels, sculptural forms and tiles that celebrate the rich potential of pattern and ornamentation. Her fascination with decorative motifs began in childhood with The Grammar of Ornament by Owen Jones, a seminal 1856 volume that catalogued global decorative styles found in European and Middle Eastern art, among others, as seen in British museum collections.
This international perspective continues to influence Priest’s practice. Her work blends intricate visual languages, drawing from diverse cultural aesthetics. Characterised by a harmony of geometry and colour, her designs balance precision with playful fluidity - patterns sometimes drift, overlap, or flow beyond their boundaries, creating a sense of dynamic motion. Notably, her attention to detail extends to the bases of her ceramics, giving each piece a sense of completeness from every angle.
Recent projects include a series of lidded cylindrical vessels inspired by traditional Chinese ginger jars, and Stellar, a large-scale tile installation for Theatre Clwyd in North Wales. Her encaustic floral tiles also featured prominently in a garden installation at the 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London.
Those in Edinburgh can view her work in person at &Gallery’s upcoming group exhibition Fragments, running from July 5 to 30. More of Priest’s creations - some of which are available for purchase - can be explored on her Instagram and official website.
