Vilas Silverton

LIVES:
Bristol

EARLY LIFE:
As a child, Vilas loved drawing and being creative, but it was not until his late twenties that he discovered meditation which lead to his increase in confidence to follow his dreams to become an artist, particularly working in ceramics.

EDUCATION:
MA at Bath Spa University (2012-2014)

CAREER:
Self-employed ceramic artist

AWARDS:
2002 Gane Trust Award
2000 Art in Clay Student Award - Highly Commended

MEDIUMS USED IN WORK:
Clay, paintings, prints and the use of digital media.

SUBJECTS OF WORK:
Vilas’s work is based upon and flows from inner life of self-enquiry that encompasses prayer, meditation and service. He concentrates on the spiritual heart, which encourages a simplicity that guides both his life and work.
His main body of work is figurative and narrative pieces.
His recent figurative works are from the series ‘Zen Rogues’ which developed from iPad drawings started in 2011. Inspired by the new digital medium and using an app called ‘Zen Brush’ he drew upon his love of Japanese Brush portraiture especially by the Zen Master Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1768).
Vilas translated his digital portraits into three dimensions. This resulted in a series of small ceramic heads together with 3 larger ones; Rico, Goldy and Big G.

EXHIBITIONS:
2014 Bath Spa University MA Degree Show
2014 ‘Zen Rogues’ at The Sri Chinmoy Centre Gallery, Edinburgh.
2004 - ‘Bloom' at blaze, Bristol. (Solo)
2004 - ‘Ed Silverton' at Prema Arts Centre, Gloucestershire
2004 - ‘Fruits & Flowers' at Rufford Craft Centre, Nottinghamshire
2002-3 ‘Ceramic Contemporaries 4', Touring UK
2002 - ‘The Horse In Art' at Obsidian Art, Stoke Mandeville, Bucks
2001 - ‘Feat Of Clay' at V&A, London
2000 - ‘The Fire Rises Twice' at The Museum of East Asian Art, Bath
1999 - ‘Nipon UK' at V&A, London