Her main preoccupation and sculptural impulse is to penetrate beneath the skin of the form to reveal the structure within – the crystalline seed of the stone, or the skeleton-like armature she perceives within the clay. She does not carve exteriors but reveals interiors – the folded abstract inner landscapes of her singular and highly imaginative vision.
– Andrew Lambirth, Art Critic - Spectator Magazine
While working, Cassell becomes deeply involved in each piece to the point where she is unaware of her surroundings even watching her work on a piece for a few minutes, it is obvious that the process commands all her attention
– Emmanuel Cooper
Cassell’s work encompasses and generates complexity and surprise. All of her sculptural work shares a language of geometry and volume but each is intriguingly different
– Elli Herring
The geometry and the mathematics involved in Halima’s work have the same effect on me as listening to Bach: she manages to get the same essential harmony of shape, form and detail. Her pieces are deeply fashioned, which is unusual in ceramics
– Eric Knowles (Ceramics Expert)
She set very high standards for herself and was tireless in her efforts to reach them. After just three months she was able to carry out complex, compelling, delicate and dynamic work.
– Helaine Blumenfeld OBE FRBS Dlitt
Halima’s work demonstrates incredible dedication and energy; one thing is clear, she will be among the future pathfinders and leaders.
– Alan Grieve, Chairman, The Jerwood Foundation
Cassell’s Work Is Subliminal in its originality, having no parallel in the sculptural or crafts genres, whose borders it crosses.
– Jean Vacher, Collections Manger, Crafts Study Centre, Farnham
Her profound understanding of the geometric rules governing any given pattern, allow her to bend, or even break them.
– Peter Randell-Page, Sculptor
I find her work uplifting, I would never consider buying it solely as an investment
– Eric Knowles (Ceramics Expert)
She was sketching constantly and continually sought to transpose her drawings into sculptural forms. The surface as well as the shapes emerged together in sculpture which often combined enormous complexity with simplicity and unity.
– Helaine Blumenfeld OBE FRBS Dlitt