Coral reefs are one of the most stunning ecosystems in existence, so it’s not a shocker they’ve inspired many artists over the years. Lisa Stevens is one of them, and she’s crafting beautiful sculptures shaped like coral reefs, sea urchins, and other marine creatures and organisms.
Stevens had a successful career as a sculptor/model-maker at Aardman Animations, working on projects such as Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit, but her life turned upside down after she took maternity leave. She took some time to develop her own style by experimenting with clay in her small home studio in Bristol.
She fell in love with making sculptures inspired by sea creatures, in an attempt to highlight the negative impact that human activity has on the environment. She uses a variety of small tools to create the patterns on her sculptures, and each one is unique in its own right because she allows the clay to take her in different directions.
“The main body of my work, the sculptures and sculptural jewelry, are primarily influenced by the clay itself. I do not fight with the clay to make neat edges and smooth, even surfaces, preferring instead to leave the tool marks, the raw edges, and the natural texture of the clay,” explains Stevens on her Etsy.
