TORONTO, CANADA

FRANCES NEISH

Le Fashioniste di Milano: No.3

$2,518.00
Exhibition Submission Statement

The two works included in the show are part of my series, “Lidded Boxes: Amo l’Italia” and are aspiring fashioniste da Milano — from the ground up rooted in order, yet whose very boredom drives them to a no rules finale.

They are subliminally shaped by my travels and experiences in Italy, especially Milano, a city that lives and breathes for fashion. “Le Fashioniste da Milano” No. 3 is dressed for success, she’s on the move and her look is her secret power.

Dimensions: 15.25”H x 19.5”W x 5”D

Material: Stoneware, glaze

Artwork ships: beginning october 22nd

Le Fashioniste di Milano: No.3

Frances Neish, 2025
1

Artist Statement

The deliberate step to lid a vessel is, in itself, revelatory, demonstrating amongst other things, one’s need for closure or the setting of boundaries. And in some ways, it’s easier to start things, than to finish them — should it be with a self-conscious flourish or a slide into obscurity?

Personally the process of creating the lidded box starts at the vessel foundation, and while building up the form, when I can feel myself contained within it, my mind starts considering how I feel in this space. To act on the feeling can change things midstream — a solid form may take on a fragile character as the vessel ends and the lid begins. Soon enough the metaphor isrevealed.

2

About the Artist

I have always loved learning and making, and find the more you know the more possibilities for crossover. Ceramics is one of many creative stones I’ve turned over — it’s so much fun, but as I like to say, you have to be tough to do ceramics — it’s loaded with failure and disappointment, but when you get it right, it’s the best. And then there are the surprises you never saw coming, and you’re hooked!

Artist cv

FRANCES NEISH

EDUCATION
BA Sociology, Carleton University, Ottawa 1971
B.Architecture Carleton University (4.5 years) 1973-1978
Ontario College of Art & Design (Painting and Drawing, Honours) 1993
Art Gallery of Ontario Studio School 1985-1900

CERAMIC STUDIES
Ontario College of Art & Design (Sculpture) 1993-1995
Gardiner Museum (Handbuilding and Wheel Throwing) 2004-2007
Central Tech (Handbuilding and Wheel Throwing Cone 10) 2008-2010
Sheridan College (Naked Raku) 2011

WORK EXPERIENCE

BUSINESS 1979 - 2012
Freelance and contract design in the fields of graphics, interiors,
costume and fashion in Toronto for clients in various industries, including
architectural, academic, financial, government and healthcare.

ART 1985-2025
1985-2015 focused mainly on oil painting and sculpting, doing private commissions,
local and international competitions, as well as community art fairs.
From 2015-2025 ceramics has taken on increasing focus, producing
handbuilt and wheel thrown functional and sculptural work, showing at
The Artist Project, and various regional art fairs.

ART AWARDS
“Canadian Women in Art” - Competition, Sculpture 1996
“Uxbridge Festival of the Arts”- Best in Oil Painting, 1997
“Cancer” - Chicago Competition, Painting, 2000
CASE District II Accolades Awards, Visual Design, USA 2002
The Canadian Council for the Advancement Education Prix d’Excellence, 2002

Other works from the WHAT HOLDS Exhibition