Jill Moger SWLA

Statement

Reptiles, amphibians and marine life are the chief subjects of Jill Moger’s ceramic sculpture and they occupy an important place in her lifelong passion for natural history. She has a strong sense and awareness of the need for conservation of natural life and habitats throughout the world and she depicts some of the most endangered species in her work.

Jill has rescued, kept and bred a variety of amphibians and reptiles over the years, and these fascinating animals are a constant source of inspiration in her work through their movement and behaviours.

Along with live subjects for her sculptures, Jill uses wildlife photography, films and online information on her favoured subjects and also visits private collections, zoos and aquaria whenever possible, all of which help enormously in the creation of her work.

Each sculpture is individually modelled in stoneware or porcelain, surface detail carefully etched into the clay and then left to dry slowly over several weeks before the first - or 'bisque' - firing in an electric kiln. Various stains and glazes are then applied prior to the 'glost' firing, up to 1250 degrees Celsius. The colours are subsequently further enhanced with overglazes and lustres and fired again, sometimes up to three more times.

Bio

2001 Elected member of the Society of Women Artists (SWA), now retired

2004-2009 Honorary Secretary of the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA)

2009-2013 Elected Vice President of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers (RMS)

Scholarships, Awards, Prizes

2018 The Terravesta Prize for best exhibit at SWLA, The Natural Eye, for ‘Hydrothermal Vent – Sea Chimney’

2009 & 2012 The Bidder and Bourne Sculpture Award and Gold Memorial Bowl honourable mention, both in the same year at the RMS annual exhibition