Erum Aamir British- Pakistani, b. 1972
Being a physicist and now a ceramicist, Erum has always wanted to smudge the division between art and science. She is fascinated by how nature constructs something atom by atom or cell by cell and how the patterns that lay regularly deep down in matter and living organisms, create irregular forms and shapes. She is especially inspired by the details which are hidden from the naked eye, and she explore these details through the eye of a microscope. The great collection of microscopic slides, available at the Herbarium of the Manchester museum, have provided Erum with the opportunity to look through hundreds of specimens made by the botanists of the late seventeenth century. These microscopic studies enable the artist to establish that nature is as beautiful inside as it is on the outside and incite her to create porcelain sculptures which are a fusion of these scientific realities and her own imaginative interpretations.
“My practice exhibits the work made by hand without use of any technologies. I work directly with porcelain clay, with a very limited use of tools or equipment which helps me to create a mutual understanding between me and my chosen medium. The way I use porcelain is challenging as I keep it very thin which helps me to create a sense of fragility and movement in my work. I do not really design things before I start making them as I prefer to let the ideas happen during the slow making and thinking process. In my work, there’s always repetition of a single or multiple elements which mimic the process of growth. I like this repetitive action – it is not a thoughtless activity but is meditative and comforting. Moreover, the repetitive nature of bringing together many components creates a rhythm and facilitates an active trance of intention. "
Education
2016-2019
BA (Hons) Three-Dimensional Design (1st Class) Manchester Metropolitan University
1996-1998
BEd General Sciences (Distinction) The University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
1994-1996
MSc Physics (1st Division)University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
1991-1993
BSc Mathematics and Physics (1st Division) The University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Exhibitions & Achievements
2024 London Craft Week with Ruup & Form Gallery, London
2024 London Art Fair 2024 with Ruup & Form Gallery, London
2024 COLLECT International Art Fair, London with Ruup & Form
2023 Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
2023 Fresh 2023 – British Ceramic Biennial at Stoke - on -Trent
2023 Design Nation at Platform Gallery, Clithero
2023 BlueCoat Display Centre
2023 COLLECT Art Fair, London with Ruup & Form Gallery 2022 Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
2022 Cotton On Manchester in “In Manchester” at Barbirolli Square, Manchester 2022 Giftware Association Award
2022 BCTF 2021
2021 Manchester Art Gallery Shop
2021 Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Victoria Baths Manchester 2021 Solo Exhibition at Pyramid Gallery
2021 Platform Gallery
2021 Participated in Digital Craft Festival
2021 London Art Fair with Ruup & Form Gallery
2021 Ragleth Gallery, Shropshire
2020 Darl-e Bear Gallery, Oxford
2020 Winner of the BCTF 2020 ‘Form & Function’ Award 2020 Winner of the 2020 Excellence Award
2020 British Craft Trade Fair (BCTF)
2019 Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
2019 GK Gallery
2019 Cluster Craft London
2019 Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
2019 Won Wells Art Contemporary Award
2019 Vertical Gallery
2019 Won Potclays Award
2019 New Designers
2018 Manchester Craft and Design Centre
2017 Won Paul Smith’s design competition at Ferrious 2017 Chapter One
2014 Ashton Art Gallery
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Porcelain Dreams
London Craft Week 2024 9 May - 14 Jun 2024Porcelain Dreams: A Celebration of Ethereal Beauty and Craftsmanship Porcelain, with its ethereal allure, has long been revered for its ability to encapsulate both fragility and resilience in a single...Read more -
Inspired
7 Mar - 5 Apr 2024 -
Winter Exhibition 2023
4 - 22 Dec 2023Anne Butler , Claire Malet, Archana Pathak, Bridget Harvey, Erum Aamir, Fleur Grenier, Hannah Walters, Hannah Lane, Katie Spragg, Melissa Hampson-Smith, Naomi Mcintosh, Richard McVetis, Rachna Garodia, Solenne Jolivet ...Read more
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London Art Fair 2025
22 - 26 Jan 2025We are delighted to return to London Art Fair in 2025. Showing works by Erum Aamir Rachna Garodia Jed Green Woo Jin Joo Kay Le...Read more -
inspired
Collect 2024 28 Feb - 3 Mar 2024Ruup & Form is delighted to be returning to Collect 2024. VIP Preview: 28/ 29 February 2024 Exhibiting works by : Erum Aamir Anne Butler...Read more -
In Quest for Harmony
Collect 2023 1 - 5 Mar 2023Ruup & Form presents In Quest for Harmony at Collect International Art Fair’s 19th Edition 3 rd to 5th March 2023 (Preview 1st - 2nd March) at Somerset House. Ruup & Form, leading contemporary gallery based in London, focussing on material-led artists is delighted to return to Collect International Art Fair with fourteen exceptional artists, all responding to the theme of In Quest for Harmony . The exhibition delves into the many facets of emotional upheavals, political and social turbulences. The artists respond with their personal sense of equilibrium, asking questions through their medium. The theme of harmony is especially relevant in today’s divided world, where perspectives and beliefs often lead to conflict and disharmony. The selected artists are shaping the future of craft and art, by innovation and experimentation, pushing boundaries with material, techniques, and by incorporating new materials to create works that are both alethically striking and conceptually engaging. In Quest of Harmony is showcase of diverse collection of materials bringing together talented artists displaying their unique and innovative pieces exploring the concept of what harmony means to them. Our participating artists are : Anne Butler Katie Spragg Richard McVetis Naomi Mcintosh Zoe Preece Claudia Clare Beatrice Mayfield Ekta Kaul Clare Palmer Shannon Clegg Erum Aamir Archana Pathak Claire Malet Fleur Grenier Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive and one-of-a-kind works. The fair will take place at Somerset House from 3rd to 5th March 2023 (Previews 1-2 March). We look forward to welcoming art and craft lovers and collectors to this exciting event. About Ruup & Form Ruup & Form is a curatorial led contemporary gallery based in London, working with material-led artists with a focus on suitability. Interjecting art, craft, and design, we present the best in collectible design and craft from across the globe, showcasing unique and limited-edition contemporary works. Founded by Varuna Kollanethu in 2019, the aim of the gallery is to blur lines between art and crafts, build communities by bringing works to a wider audience and promoting our artists through exhibitions, events, fairs, and educational workshops. The gallery currently works with over 40 artists having built a reputation for the support to its artists, building deep rooted relationships with artists and collectors alike. We have taken on large commissions with corporates and individuals and built trust as an innovative gallery. www.ruupandform.com Download selected images here Instagram: @ruup.and.form #ruupandform #inquestforharmony #collect2023 For all enquiries and photographs email hello@ruupandform.com About Collect International Art Fair Collect showcases exceptional work made in the last five years by living artists and designers allowing each gallery to curate their own display and commission new pieces or bodies of work, especially for the fair. Works span many craft disciplines including ceramics, glass, lacquer, art jewellery, precious metalwork, textiles and fibre, wood and paper to works using non-traditional materials including resin and bone. The fair’s aim is to introduce and cultivate purchasing audiences to develop and grow the financial and intellectual value of craft at this level. Organised by the Crafts Council, t he fair provides art consultants, interiors specialists, collectors, museum curators, design practitioners and wider enthusiasts with an unrivalled opportunity to discover and invest in contemporary craft that will surprise, delight and endure. About Crafts Council, UK The Crafts Council is the national charity for craft. We believe craft skills and knowledge enrich and uplift us as individuals and can change our world for the better. Through our activities we inspire making, empower learning and nurture craft businesses. We do this by championing craft and its positive impact on society, increasing levels of craft education and participation, growing the market for craft, and by building a sustainable and inclusive craft sector.Read more