Marice Cumber returned to making ceramics after a gap of 30 years, during which time family and work commitments filled her life. The ceramics that emerged after this gap are physical, built responses to the emotions, complexities and uncertainties that she experiences, and has experienced and navigated, during her life and which have become part of her being.
The huge oversized ceramic cups, vessels and vases that Marice makes are confessional, bold and brave. They are highly decorated and are inscribed with her innermost thoughts and personal mantras that she communicates to herself and her audience through her work. These messages, like billboard advertisements, are taken from her personal diaries and notebooks and summarise moments of reflection, contemplation, encouragement and acceptance as she is observing herself going through life and commenting on who she is and what is within her.
Marice’s ceramic work is made of stoneware clay, is handbuilt and uses underglazes, oxides and slips for decoration before being fired and glazed.
In addition to her ceramic practice, Marice has set up and runs the Accumulate Art School for the Homeless, a charity providing creative education and employment courses for people living in hostels and temporary accommodation.
Marice studied ceramics at evening classes at Morley Adult Education College (1984 - 1986) and has an MA (dist) in Social Entrepreneurship from Goldsmiths College, University of London (2018).