Five years of creating magical art in Corsham come to an end this summer, as ceramicist Claire Baker ends her time as resident artist at The Pound.

The arts centre on Pound Pill aims to bring art of every type direct to the public, and to that end has studios for artists to work, where people can see them creating art and from where they can build up a business.

Claire Baker’s ceramics are influenced by the ‘aged’ and ‘distressed beauty’ of Miss Haversham’s wedding table in Dickens’ Great Expectations and the darker, more curious side of Victorian life.

A love of theatre and Victorian Gothic, combined with a life spent exercising a vivid imagination, encourage the particularly British peculiarity of her work. Many of her works are based on pieces found in local junk shops which have provided her with inspiration. Sometimes her finds are incorporated into new works.

She said: “For this exhibition, I have returned to my roots as a mixed media artist with 3D assemblages of found items and ceramics. I’ll be sad to leave The Pound, but I am making way for a new emerging artist.”

The exhibition also showcases the work of Andrew Oliver from Mad Made furniture, their first show together. Oliver uses reclaimed furniture to sculpt new pieces with a surreal play on scale and form.

“Based on the juxtaposition of objects with our dreams, this exhibition promises to be a dramatic enchantment for the senses,” Claire said.