Glacier 

Tanya Gomez’s new collection of work continues in the vein of a rooted connection to water but goes beyond the sea with its fluid forms into looking at textures of icebergs and stones.  Inspired by the hues of these magnificent forms, the pieces evolve in kind, with the forms enhancing the performance of the glazes. The subtle yet potent differences in colour and texture manifest through the forming of Celadon and Chun glazes to run more, gain texture or enhance translucency. 
The sea has always been at the foundation of Gomez’s inspiration and consequential work. Having grown up by the sea and travelled on the sea for nearly a decade, her work has often moved more towards the fluidity of water, in motion. Now, looking at the tense pack of water that icebergs have formed over thousands of years is proving to be equally influential. When one considers the weight, tension and volume of water, it is overwhelming. To think that something so solid and indestructible is fragile and melting away causes pause, and in this moment of reflection is where Gomez’s work lies.
The vessels she creates can be bulbous or tall. Adding slip, cutting away and impressing found stones from the local area add to the texture not only of the form but also of the concept. Based in Lewes and inspired by the Lewes Downs, with its natural flint and soaring white cliffs, Gomez replicates this texture into her vessels, pressing flint into the work, mimicking the texture of cliff faces. This effect has a dual purpose by simultaneously appearing like mountain ranges. 
When Gomez turns her gaze towards glacier formations, she adds slip to the vessels, exaggerating these shapes. Through a process of cutting away, with glazes hanging heavily over the top, one senses the weight and fissures of glacial patters.  The narrower bases give the vessels a sense of fragility, as if being eroded by water, continuing the narrative of the glaciers melting away, a condition of our current climate change.