Shirley Emmerson

Shirley Emmerson is a sculptor and doll maker working in porcelain, recycled textiles and mixed media. Raised in a family of makers, stitchers, knitters and woodworkers, she grew up in a household where everything was repaired, repurposed and passed on. That ethos of handcraft and recycling continues to shape her practice today.

For over thirty years, Shirley has worked professionally with porcelain and reclaimed fabrics. She holds a degree in ceramics alongside qualifications in textiles, bringing together technical skill with a deep sensitivity to materials. Every doll is entirely hand-stitched, a slow and meditative process that she describes as rhythmic and grounding.

Her figures are often theriocephalic animal-headed, human-bodied forms, reflecting her belief that remembering our animal nature fosters compassion and connection. Birds are a recurring motif, rooted in a childhood memory of colouring bird drawings instead of receiving gold stars at school, sparking a lifelong fascination.

Shirley’s work has been exhibited and collected in galleries across the Mediterranean and the UK, including a sell-out exhibition in the Ceramics Department at the Victoria and Albert Museum. After 23 years living and working aboard a small sailboat in the Mediterranean, she returned to Glastonbury, where she continues her studio practice alongside teaching ceramics at Strode College.