Chris Bramble was born in London into a family of Jamaican descent in 1958. He studied ceramics Glasgow School of Art (1979–81) and later, Design and Media Arts at the University of Westminster (1997–99). His pottery and ceramic artworks blend European sculptural traditions with the craftsmanship and aesthetics of African forms, in particular traditional Zimbabwean busts.
Ceramicist Chris Bramble was born in 1958 in London, England into a family of Jamaican descent, growing up in Ipswich, Suffolk until the age of 11. As a child, he was drawn to working with his hands, a passion sparked when assisting the elderly at a local basket-weaving shop. Bramble relocated to Hastings, Sussex in his teenage years, and during his Exhibition Design Diploma at college, he started to experiment with three-dimensional materials, including plastic, wood, and clay. He found a particular affinity for the latter, a connection so profound that, with the encouragement of one of his tutors, he opted to abandon his course to concentrate on producing a portfolio of ceramic works. Bramble then completed his BA in ceramics at Glasgow School of Art (1979–81), during which time he became interested in European sculptors such as Rodin, while also appreciating the beauty of African craftsmanship. By his second year, he had already begun showcasing his work in Scotland. Bramble subsequently gained his MA in Design and Media Arts from the University of Westminster (1997–99).
In 1985, using his expertise in exhibition design, Bramble relocated to Zimbabwe, assuming the role of Exhibition Officer for the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Despite his initial plan to stay for just three months, his tenure extended to two years. During this time, he was instrumental in designing and managing a number of exhibitions and cultural exchange programmes with countries such as the USA, USSR, and Japan. The gallery received funding from British American Tobacco, which facilitated a workshop at the back of the gallery, providing Bramble with an opportunity to refine his skills in carving semi-precious stones. Profoundly influenced by local stone sculpture techniques, Bramble interacted with local artists and attended workshops, where he mastered the art of carving serpentines and verdites. This newfound knowledge significantly informed his ceramic work, as he integrated these fresh forms and methodologies into his practice.
On returning to England, Bramble's work, significantly influenced by his time in Zimbabwe, had evolved to embrace a more figurative style, blending hand-built sculptures with thrown ware. His pottery and ceramic sculptures bring together his fascination for European sculptural traditions with his admiration for the craftsmanship and aesthetics of African forms. Bramble crafts wheel-thrown porcelain pots in with earth-toned glazes and hand-sculpted stoneware vases featuring delicately detailed faces, reminiscent of traditional Zimbabwean busts. His pieces often bear African-inspired patterns meticulously inscribed onto the surface, a testament to his enduring love for African art and culture. For Bramble, his practice is a ‘meditation’ and a ‘spiritual and emotional activity’ (GoMA Glasgow). He approaches each piece without being bound by a strict thought process and describes his process of crafting as 'organic' (Ceramic Review 2023). Inspired by people around him, he encapsulates their spirit and rhythm in his meditative creative process.
Bramble is also concerned with unveiling concealed facets of contemporary Black culture. He participated in a number of exhibitions on Black art, beginning with Creation for Liberation Open Exhibition: Art by Black Artists>/em> at Brixton Village in 1987. Alongside diaspora artists, Jon Churchill, Tony Ogogo, and Madge Spencer, his work later featured in The Potter’s Art at the Black-Art Gallery, London and in Let the Canvas Come Alive With Dark Faces at the Hebert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry (both 1990). The latter was curated by Eddie Chambers in association with INIVA and comprised self-portraits by 57 contemporary African and Asian artists. Among Bramble's solo exhibitions was Human Elements at the City Art Gallery, Leicester (1994). Bramble sees the act of sharing his knowledge and teaching as crucial as his own practice and conducts workshops focused on traditional ceramic craftsmanship at Kingsgate Workshops in Kilburn, north London. He collaboratively creates artworks with his daughter, Freya, with whom he has recently held joint exhibitions at the Queens Park Art Centre Pottery Festival, Aylesbury (2022) and the Ice House, London (2023). Chris Bramble is ceramics tutor at both Kensington and Chelsea College and Westminster City School. His work is not currently represented in UK public collections.
Consult items in the Ben Uri archive related to [Chris Bramble]
Publications related to [Chris Bramble] in the Ben Uri Library