Jacqueline Poncelet

Jacqueline Poncelet
Looking Ahead and
Shimmera

Commissioned for Creative Folkestone Triennial 2021

Jacqueline Poncelet contributes two new commissions for The Plot.

Looking Ahead pierces holes through the brick of the retaining wall of the old Ship Street gasworks. A variety of lenses have been fitted into the holes, including some that mimic bee-eyes, as well as mechanically operated kaleidoscopes. Viewers will be afforded an extraordinary and ever-changing view over the gasworks site, the railway viaduct and the hills, as well as the future.

Shimmera consists of seven decorative panels of carefully designed patterns of shimmer discs set into the gable ends of the new buildings containing live-work and retail spaces in Mill Bay. The panels aim to capture and extend the energy of the pedestrian route through the new development, beckoning to the green park in one direction and to the blue sea in the other.

Born in Liege, Belgium, Jacqueline Poncelet has a background in ceramics, having studied at Wolverhampton College of Art and the Royal College of Art from 1966 until 1972. She is well-known for her early work in bone china, and for her more sculptural works in ceramics after 1980.   

The artist writes: 'From the beginning I have been drawn to pattern and colour with my interest in form coming later. I studied ceramics initially and worked exclusively in clay until the mid 80's when I realised that ceramics was limiting the development of my ideas. Since then it has been increasingly difficult to define me as an artist. I have made sculpture, paintings and installations and collaborated with other artists; I have also curated exhibitions and worked on public commissions both large and small.  Throughout my work I have tried to embrace the visual complexity of the world around me.  Rather than being overwhelming, I see this complexity as both positive and exciting, something that enriches our lives.' 

Find more of Jacqueline Poncelet's work.