LORRAINE ROBSON

LIFE" is a wall-hung ceramic installation composed of numerous individual, slip-cast elements arranged to create a cascading, vertical flow. The work serves as a tactile and metaphorical sculpture, drawing a powerful connection between the natural world and the biological systems that sustain human and animal existence.

The form of the individual ceramic elements is inspired by two related, yet distinct, sources. First, I abstracted the image of deflated bladder wrack, observed during walks along Scottish shorelines and lochs. The seaweed's rubbery, air-filled sacs, once buoyant, are transformed as they dry and degrade on the sand. This imagery of deflated, washed-up forms struck me as a powerful metaphor for life's ebb and flow.

This visual connection led me to my second inspiration: red blood cells. The deflated seaweed sacs reminded me of microscopic images of these life-sustaining cells—tiny, rubbery rescue dinghies coursing through our veins and arteries. Just as bladder wrack and other marine plants float in the sea, sustaining delicate ecosystems, red blood cells course through our bodies like rivers, carrying oxygen and sustaining life.

The final arrangement of these abstract ceramic "cells" on the wall is intentional. They are designed to cascade vertically from top to bottom, evoking a sense of flow and movement. This arrangement references the coursing of blood through veins and the flow of rivers through the landscape to the sea—each a vital part of the delicate, continuous cycle of life. The installation transforms the wall into a visual representation of these interconnected streams, celebrating the quiet, profound beauty of the systems that define our existence.

Visitor Information

Venue: RSA Upper Galleries, Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL

Dates: Sunday 11 January – Wednesday 4 February 2026

Opening Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10am–5pm

Tickets: £5 entry | £4 concession | Free for under 16s and SSA Members | Free entry for all on Mondays

Lorraine Robson: Artist Biography

For over three decades, Lorraine Robson has shaped a distinguished career from her studio in Scotland, creating captivating sculpture and ceramics. An alumna of the Edinburgh College of Art, Lorraine is celebrated for bridging ancient craftsmanship with a bold, contemporary vision.

Her hand-built ceramics are a testament to her profound understanding of form. Often rooted in the classic vessel, these non-functional works draw from a vast historical and cultural tapestry. Lorraine meticulously combines ancient techniques like coiling, pinching, and slab construction with studio-made plaster mould slip-casting to achieve her unique sculptural and formal language.

International Acclaim & Recognition

Lorraine’s work has garnered international distinction. She has proudly represented the UK in prestigious ceramic competitions across Austria, Taiwan, Croatia, and the USA. Her excellence was recognized by the Crafts Council, leading to her selection to promote contemporary UK craft for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Her work is held in their permanent collection at the Ambassador's residence in Islamabad.

Beyond the studio, Lorraine has been deeply committed to public engagement and art education over many years, having led numerous residencies in Scottish schools, museums, and communities. Her installation work, supported by National Lottery funding via Creative Scotland, was prominently featured at Craft Council Collect Open 2020 and later in the SSA 130 years exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy.

Professional member of the Society of Scottish Artists (SSA), Visual Arts Scotland (VAS)

Member of DACS - The Design and Artists Copyright Society

Please note: Lorraine is no longer accepting direct commission enquiries. Contact &Gallery.

All visuals and design concepts remain subject to the artist's copyright laws and should not reproduced without permission.

2021 saw production and installation of commissioned wall relief, Ebb and Flow, in the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh. Funded by @ELHFfunds, commissioned by #tonicarts at ELHF, curated by @roundtableprojects.

Lorraine's works are available for acquisition through &gallery, Edinburgh.