Mary Rose Young
| Mary Rose Young | |
|---|---|
 Mary Rose Young | |
| Born | 1958 |
| Nationality | British |
| Known for | Ceramics |
Coordinates: 51°46′10″N 2°34′22″W / 51.76947°N 2.572879°W Mary Rose Young is a ceramic artist who lives and works in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, in the UK.
Early life
Mary Rose Young was born near London in 1958. As a child her family moved around frequently, with one year being spent in a remote fishing village in Minorca. Eventually the family settled in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
She studied ceramics at art college in Wolverhampton. Her particular interest at that time was making sculptural pieces of pottery, which were expressive representations of everyday objects. Among her successful degree pieces was a 3-dimensional Washing Up Bowl. Her first piece of her work to be featured in a magazine was a wacky ceramic filofax.[1]
Career
After leaving art college, she developed an interest in producing items using a potters wheel. Applying the bright colour she had used earlier onto her newly thrown pots, she immediately found the look she had hoped for.
Working from home, she began selling pottery pieces from a barrow at the Dockside Arts Centre, in Bristol, from about 1985. Her earliest designs included the humorous 'frantic chicken' and a rose motif which seemed appropriate next to her name. The roses began to grow in a three-dimensional form on the rims of vases and on the handles of mugs, and she called the look 'Rose Encrusted'.
In 1986 production moved to a small pottery in the village of Parkend. Early recognition of her work at this time came in the form of a magazine article for South West Arts, an interview with Jan Leeming for TV, and acceptance by the Crafts Council for her application to exhibit at the Chelsea Crafts Fair.
In 1990 she relocated to Oak House, on the edge of Parkend, which she decorated in vivid colours to reflect her style. This attracted interior design magazines Metropolitan Home, World of Interiors, Elle Decoration, and others to publish features on Young and her home. Her gallery at Oak House is now open to the public.
In 1993 she began incorporating gold lustre into her designs with a look called Jewelled and Beaded. While her 'Rose Design' has remained very popular, with an expanded range of shapes and designs, gold has now become the stronger theme in her range. An artistic landmark was reached in 2007 with the creation of her 'chandeliers'.[2]
In 2007 she attracted new media attention after Ozzy Osbourne's Mary Rose Young teacup and saucer fetched $1,650.00 in a charity auction of his possessions.[3]
Recently she has begun experimenting with a crown motif on teapots, cups and saucers. She has also continued to license some designs for mass production by larger giftware companies and these items are carried by several High Street chains.
In 1996 she married Phil Butcher, a musician who played as Iggy Pop's bassist and then later as part of The Tiger Lillies.