About Eleanor Wheeler : Elfire Ceramics

My specialism lies in designing and making large scale ceramic and brick sculptural features for architecture, public places and gardens. The majority of this work is site-specific and is often designed in liaison with architects, planners and community groups, schools or local residents. Very often this involves the management of a variety of people and large budgets to produce work within a fixed timescale.

The nature of the work, in terms of scale, function, design and imagery, is developed in direct response to the environment, local community and history of the site.

I have a particular interest in architectural detail and recent work has combined this along with botanical and animal forms to create pieces containing a narrative. I have started to explore ways in which ceramics can be combined with other materials, such as metal, mosaic and printed imagery to make works on a large scale which combine both a sculptural impact with detail on a more intimate scale.

Work has been commissioned by Hospital Trusts, Local Councils, Education Authorities and Library Boards, Museums, Further Education Colleges, National Charities as well as private clients. Community involvement has encompassed projects with Disability groups, Young Homeless People and groups from Primary to Further Education. This has given individuals the opportunity to develop skills and to be part of the creation of large scale permanent works to enhance their environment.