Shirley Vauvelle is an artist working from her studio near the coast in North Yorkshire. She creates assemblage sculptures hand-built in stoneware and porcelain. Her work is inspired by the balance, rhythm, and power of nature, and her emotional response to it. Much of her inspiration comes from her immediate surroundings — her studio is encircled by a mature garden filled with structural planting and trees, only a short distance from the sea. The relationship between her sculptural forms and the natural world is evident, with shapes echoing those found on beaches and within her garden. Drawing and painting play an important part in her practice, capturing shifting light and form which feed into her evolving sculptural language.

Shirley is also fascinated by archaeological finds, particularly ancient Inuit art, whose simplicity of form and surface resonates strongly in her work. Over time she has built an imaginative world of creatures existing under a universal sky — Carrier Beasts, Flower Thinkers, Warriors, and Land Seekers — beings with purpose and quiet presence. Her sculptures convey both strength and vulnerability, reflecting the delicate balance of nature. Many pieces include movable components, inviting interaction, alteration, and mindful play.