Collection: Straiph Wilson

Straiph Wilson is a Scottish outsider artist working with ceramics. His approach is deeply experimental as he blends clay, porcelain, and stoneware together. The results are almost alchemical - the unique properties of each material fight against one another. Straiph’s pieces negotiate and incorporate these uncontrollable reactions. 

For Straiph, the unruly nature of his materials reflects his interest in the things we cannot explain. His series of human head sculptures invite the viewer to perceive the complexity of the human psyche. Each head is formed differently, the materials converging to form distinct shapes and textures. Patches of colour tangle together. 

Straiph’s ceramics sit on the borders between folklore, science, and religion. His ‘Sin Eater’ head sculptures are named after mythical vagabonds who ate ritual meals to absorb the sins of the deceased, releasing their souls. Some of his head sculptures also reference specific figures, from Francis Bacon to Chloris, a mythical nymph from Greek mythology.