Ceramic Wall Sculptures Inspired by the Ocean
Monica Fergus is a ceramic artist based near Kinsale, Ireland, creating unique handmade wall sculptures inspired by the beauty, colour and extraordinary forms of marine life.
I focus particularly on fish, sea slugs and plankton, drawing inspiration from both tropical species and fascinating marine life found around the Irish coast. Each sculpture is shaped by hand and individually finished with specially mixed and layered glazes, making every piece unique.
My Journey into Ceramics
I began exploring pottery after retiring from full-time work as a college lecturer. Having enjoyed making clay pieces in my early twenties, I joined weekly pottery classes at Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre after moving to Kinsale.
Over nine years of classes, I developed my ceramic skills and experimented with a wide variety of pieces. I eventually installed a reconditioned kiln in a glasshouse in my garden and began developing my distinctive ceramic fish wall sculptures.
My first fish was sold during Kinsale Arts Week in 2010. This was the beginning of a journey that led to exhibitions, craft fairs, galleries and collectors in Ireland and further afield.
Inspired by Marine Life
The ocean provides an endless source of inspiration for me. Some of my ceramic fish sculptures are based on tropical fish, while others reflect fascinating species found around the shores of Ireland.
I also create sculptures inspired by sea slugs and plankton. For my plankton pieces, I work from microscope photographs of organisms that can be only a few millimetres in size, focusing on the traces of colour and intricate forms visible in the images.
Handmade, One-of-a-Kind Work
My wall sculpture begins with clay and is shaped by hand. Once the form has dried and been bisque-fired, I apply individually mixed and layered glazes to create colour and depth.
The pieces are then fired at a temperature close to 1200°C. A further glaze may be applied to create an iridescent quality reminiscent of ocean life, followed by another lower-temperature firing.
The result is a collection of unique ceramic wall sculptures, each with its own combination of shape, colour and surface.
A Celebration of Colour, Creativity and the Sea
For me, making these sculptures is a source of happiness and fulfilment. The variety of life in the ocean is astounding, and I find continual inspiration in discovering new forms and species.
My work is ultimately about more than representing marine creatures. Through dynamic shapes and vibrant, life-enhancing colours, I aim to create a sense of joie-de-vivre—bringing the energy and spirit of the ocean into the spaces where my sculptures are displayed.
“I was 64 when my first fish was sold.”
My story is a reminder that creativity can begin at any stage of life—and that new experiences can lead to unexpected sources of wonder and joy.
Featured in the Press
Monica Fergus’s ceramic wall sculptures have attracted attention in the Irish arts and craft community, with her work featured in newspapers and publications. These features offer a glimpse into Monica’s creative practice and her distinctive approach to transforming marine life into colourful, hand-shaped ceramic sculpture.
