Mary Sewell is an artist based in Sheffield, she works from her studio at Portland Works.

.http://www.portlandworks.co.uk/makers/mary-sewell.

Working primarily in clay she hand-builds sculptures and vessels inspired by prehistory, in particular the Neolithic period. A time when the earth and agriculture took over from the hunter/gatherer and women became symbols of the earth.

I have always felt drawn to this period of human history before there were written records. There is something childlike and playful about it which gives reign to the imagination. I love to think that I use the same material people have been using for thousands of years sharing that same connection to the earth.

Mary finds her inspiration from neolithic figurines and sculpture found from around the world, drawing on attributes and stories from different countries and cultures. From the ancient stone cup and ring markings found in the landscape around the British Isles to the ancient figures made in Eastern Europe, Africa, India, and Japan. She fuses her findings together to create her own contemporary style evocative of ancient artefacts from another time and place.

Education

1990-1993  Sheffield Hallam University BA (hons) Combined and Media Arts

1989-90 Foundation in Fine Art, London College of Printing

Professional Activites

2023- 2025:  Working with Anthony Bennett at Yorkshire Artspace to make replica Benin sculptures in ceramic for artist Yinka Shonibare. The installation, ‘Monument to the Restitution of the Mind and Soul’, was shown at the Venice Biennale 2024 in the Nigerian Pavillion. And Archive of lost memories series shown at Art Basel and Royal Academy Summer Show 2025 James Cohan Gallery

2025: Open Up Sheffield. This is a city wide open studio event which I have taken part in for the past 20 years. Demonstrating, show casing and selling work from my studio in Portland Works.

2020-present: Member of The Northern Potters Association

https://www.northern-potters.co.uk/artists/sewell-mary/

2022-2026 Sheffield Ceramics Festival: Kelham Island Museum. For the past 3 years I have been part of this Ceramic festival, showcasing and selling my work.

2022-2025 Cromford Ceramics Fair

2025 Dovecot Summer Ceramics Fair

2020-present: Member of Northern Potters Association

2022-2025 Portland Works Winter Fair and Open Studio.

Workshops

Figurine and vessel making workshops for small groups and individual one to one sessions at Portland Works.

May 2025: Figurine workshop at The Sculpture Lounge, Holme Valley.

2020-2024: Delivering creative workshops to local community groups in and around Sheffield through Ignite Imaginations and Family Voice.

1995 -2012: Working as a freelance artist with Sheffield Museums on a number of prestigious projects including The National Portrait Gallery project and The Manor Lodge Project. Also working on a freelance basis as artist with Sheffield Futures, MAMA East African’s Women’s, The Crucible Youth Theatre and Site Gallery.

Residencies

2023:  Born in Fire: 3 week ceramic residency in Auroville India. Experiencing the hands on process of Anagama, a large wood firing kiln which originated from China. Granted by Arts Council England.

2019 As above so below: One month residency at Portland Works, resulting in a solo exhibition Makerspace event space at Portland Works.

1995: Kala Vasudha: An arts residency in Madhya Pradesh India: Experiencing and learning about traditional India arts, including terracotta pottery, bell metal sculpture, Warli painting and Baratnatyam dance. Granted by The Nehru Centre and Yorkshire and Humberside Arts.

Publications

2025: Northern Potters Association Magazine August 2025.

2020:  Volta Art by Women.  Work included on an on-line gallery to promote and showcase the work of women artists. https://www.voltagallery.co.uk/index.php/artists 

2019: Included in the LibraryX publication WordPower: Language as Medium compiled and edited by Sarah Peace. https://libraryx.org.uk/wordpower-language-as-medium/

2019:  Wake up screaming E-zine. #17 The Mind. https://wakeupscreaming.com/mary-sewell-as-above-so-below/

2017: The force that through the green fuse. https://opencitydesign.com/2017/01/13/the-forge/

2016:  Signs of an Open City. http://opencitydesign.wordpress.com/2016/12/11/great-work-mary-sewell

Awards

2023:  Awarded a DYCP grant from Arts Council England.  To develop my ceramic practice during an Anagama pottery residential workshop in Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, India.

2007:  The Last Mile to develop a website and marketing material. Granted by Inspiral

2006:  Travelled to Somaliland to attend and speak at a conference about women, the environment and work.  To research and document women in Somaliland to illustrate an educational book ‘Travelling with the Bedouin women of Hawd’  and ‘The Asylum Seeker’  Funded by MAMA East African Women’s Project.

1998:  Arts Portfolio Award.  To produce a photography portfolio and show case at Midland Arts Centre.  Granted by West Midlands Arts

1997:  Arts for everyone: Working with a group of artists to develop an interactive art website .  Granted by Yorkshire Arts. 

1996:  Digital Imagery Award:  To attend a digital imagery workshop to learn how to use photoshop.  Granted by Yorkshire Arts.

1995:   Kala Vasudha Arts residency Madhya Pradesh India:  Granted by The Nehru Centre and Yorkshire and Humberside Arts.