Artist Statement - Denise McAuley
Materia Medica
Denise McAuley's 'Materia Medica' is a series of 4 ceramic bottles inspired by antique
pharmaceutical vessels & the examination of how 'art & design' affects health and well being
through the form of 'Vessels'. Each is carefully wheel-thrown, then subtly distorted to evoke
the physical tension we carry in our neck and shoulders, a symbolic representation of
emotional and psychological weight.
The bottles are labeled with ailments of modern life Impostor Syndrome, Burnout,
Vulnerability, Estrangement. Inside, each contains a delicate porcelain scroll or
"prescription," offering not a medical cure, but an invitation to reflect. As vessels, these
bottles embody the human form, fragile yet resilient. Speaking to the strength and
vulnerability that coexist within us all.
Crafted in stoneware using copper oxide and cobalt, with ceramic ink decals and glaze, the
surfaces reveal complex chemical reactions during firing.The aged, oxidised finish gives
each piece a timeless quality, echoing the enduring presence of stress and the potential for
transformation.
Rooted in McAuley's dual experience as a trauma nurse and ceramic artist, this work bridges
the physical, psychological, and emotional. Conceived during her final year at Belfast
Metropolitan College, 'Materia Medica' explores how art can offer therapeutic insight and
become a vessel for healing in itself.
These pieces challenge the assumption that wellbeing is found only in medicine. Instead,
they prompt a holistic view where creativity, self-reflection, and conversation play vital roles
in resilience and recovery. By evoking curiosity, empathy, and personal resonance, 'Materia
Medica' invites the viewer to consider how we carry, confront, and ultimately respond to the
pressures of contemporary life.
Denise McAuley RUA 'Materia Medica' -
The concept for 'Materia Medica' first emerged during my Product Design course at Belfast
Metropolitan College, where we explored how 'art and design' can impact health and
wellbeing through the idea of the form 'Vessel'. I was fascinated by how the vessel itself
mirrors the human body - a form made of many parts: the body, head, neck, and shoulders.
This naturally connected with my background in nursing, where I see the body every day as
both fragile and resilient.
I was also drawn to the shapes of old pharmaceutical bottles, whose forms hold history,
memory, and healing. From there, I began exploring themes such as 'imposter syndrome,
burnout, vulnerability, and estrangement'. These are very current issues in modern society,
and I felt they could resonate strongly with viewers, encouraging reflection and connection
Each bottle has a designated label and definition inserted. I placed a separate delicate
porcelain scroll, like a prescription but instead of cures, they are invitations to pause and
reflect.
The vessels are wheel-thrown using stoneware clay, and fired a total of 3 times , at different
temperatures to achieve this look. The application of the colours to the surfaces of the
bottles were made using copper oxide, cobalt oxide, glaze, and individually designed
ceramic ink decals.
The chemical reactions in the oxidation kiln environment create an aged, oxidised look,
which gives the bottles a timeless quality. A reminder that stress and struggle have always
been with us, but so too has resilience.
The making of these pieces also carried its own story. On the 9th of July, just five days
before the deadline for my RUA submission, I opened the kiln to find that two bottles had
gone wrong. Despite being meticulous in my application of oxide, somehow I had mixed up
copper and cobalt oxides, and the results were completely different to what I wanted. At that
point I had a choice: give up, or push through and try to make, dry, bisque fire, glaze, and
decal new bottles in less than five days. It seemed almost impossible, but I decided to
remake another four. Thankfully, the weather & kiln gods were with me, and I submitted my
application with just 15 minutes to spare before the midnight deadline!
For me, that determination comes from both parts of my life as a trauma nurse in the NHS
and as an artist. In both roles, I've learned to work under pressure, stay focused, and see
things through. Materia Medica brings these worlds together, showing that healing isn't only
about medicine it can also come from creativity, reflection, and conversation.