Joya: AiR / Josie Beardsmore / ENG

‘My experience at Joya: AiR was really magical and came at the perfect time when I needed to reassess my practice after studying. During the residency I learnt far more than I could have imagined, from myself but also the other resident artists. Having the time and space to concentrate purely on my practice has been invaluable. The work and research I undertook during my time has since taken my practice in a really productive direction. I spent my time harvesting clay from around Sierra María - Los Vélez national park. Through a method of clay extraction that uses water to separate and filter the clay particles, I was able to create mouldable clay. This was then made into forms, the shape of which were dictated by the properties of the clay. When they dried, these forms tuned the same bright white as the hills they came from. This method is currently informing an ongoing research project around my hometown.

Josie Beardsmore

Born in Kidderminster, Josie Beardsmore lives and works in London. She is a recent graduate from MA Research Architecture at Goldsmiths and also has a degree in Design. Because of these influences, her creative practice is heavily informed by research. The materials she uses are dictated by the project itself, with her work spanning many disciplines such as ceramics, textiles and book making. She is currently working on a project investigating identity and researching through clay.