Aphra Lupita Zulka O'Connor-Smith

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us The easiest yes ever @rob_does_not_lift a thousand times yes Absolutely perfect ring by @emilygeorginajones

Over the last year I have dealt with many personal changes, and through my diagnosis of ADHD I have understood myself and my making in a new light My choice of materials, the way I make and the thoughts behind my processes have been made clearer through this diagnosis. I work with clay because of its immediacy, because my constantly racing mind (a norm for everyone I thought until recently) gets distracted, and clay allows me to get ideas down, and then gives me space for me to gather my thoughts and for the works to dry I collect forms and then I cast them first in vacuum forming and then in plaster because I enjoy collecting, that rush of dopamine is something I crave in clay making, and these casting processes allow me to add to a collection of forms I can reuse and reanimate in new works. My head is full of creative and positive thoughts, as well as constant stress and anxiety. Through making I dissect all these emotions, I work with clay because of its immediacy yes, but also because Even in writing that I have lost my train of thought completely Ah yes, the stress and anxiety is soothed with clay, it can be reshaped, and yes it cracks and shatters but it allows for a better understanding of patience. It is therapy in itself This year I started therapy, not my idea at all because I thought I could ‘cure’ any problems I had myself. I was wrong, and it was the most liberating thing I have done. It opened my eyes to how to live with a neurodiverse mind, to be kind to myself and to be patient. To give myself time. So I did, I spent the year understanding myself and my personal and creative priorities. The work that comes next will demonstrate that #adhd #adhdawareness #adhdwomen #creativeadhd #neurodiversity #neurodiversitycelebrationweek #artistsoninstagram #artiststudio #clay #keramik #ceramicsnow

ACUMULUS 3 accumulating clouds Earthenware, ply, copper, Perspex, lighting gel, steel

ACUMULUS Earthenware clay, ply, acrylic, ink, copper, bolts, lighting gel, fabric, thread Sometimes clouds are grey and sometimes they are full of colour, these clouds of ideas are bright and patterned #newwork #artiststudio #ceramicsculpture

ACUMULUS - ‘raining down’ inspiration and material research for new works #artiststudio #contemporaryceramics #contemporaryart #aphraoconnor

ACUMULUS PRECIP These cloud forms hanging over my head leak patterns and forms constantly, clashing and complementing as they drip down This gouache, watercolour and ink work is heading to @inspiredby.gallery this weekend as part of the @northyorkshireopenstudios current exhibition #newwork #contemporarypaintings #studioshot

ACUMULUS So many ideas, forms and patterns that infiltrate my thoughts, multiplying, competing and growing These embody cloud forms, spilling out these snippets of inspiration #newwork #contemporarysculpture #thoughtsbehind

A C U M U L U S New series raining down soon #ceramicist #artiststudios #keramic #newsculpture #whatisinmybrain

Take me back to finger painting! #studiotime #researchtime #playtime

Materials embodying feelings, clay capturing physical expressions, and leaving my mark on the work #handofthemaker #artiststudio #autismdiagnosis

I’ve been meaning to buy a customised name stamp for my ceramics for a while, but very glad I waited until adding Smith to my name. Smith is probably derived from “smitan,” which meant “to strike with a hammer.” Which is useful because I love hitting stuff with hammers @rob_does_not_lift

Clay and thinking, losing track of time while making in the studio #artiststudio #workinprogress #materialprocess #claycreations #aphraoconnor