Clay became a fundamental part of my life when I happened upon a hand building workshop while studying at Bristol School of Art, after which I caught the bug and spent my lunch hour and early mornings busy at the wheel, learning the basics and enjoying the meditative space working with clay gave me.
Eleven years on, I'm in love with it as much as ever, spending the time in between moving to Cornwall and studying Contemporary Crafts at Falmouth University where I graduated with a BA Hons in Contemporary Craft, where I focussed on paper-cut work. I was also shortlisted for the New Designers 'Designer of the Year 21015' award and had my first solo exhibition ay LINLEY, Belgravia in London entitled 'Journeys in Paper'.
After my success with my paper-cut work, I felt drawn back to ceramics and completed an 18-month internship at the Leach Pottery, where I was able to fully immerse myself into the studio pottery way of life and learn the Japanese ideologies that Leach prides itself on - influences that continue to inspire my practice today, particularly brushwork which I developed a real passion for, as it also incorporates the design elements I enjoyed through my paper-cut work. Following on from my internship I taught and ran courses at the Leach Pottery, and teaching is something I continue to do today as I love sharing the gift of working with clay with others, and I always learn something from my students too!
Since 2021 I have been successfully running my own pottery and it has been an amazing journey. I have learnt so much about being an independent business and I love the creative freedom it has given me. The pots I make are honest and long lasting, a balance between function and form - focussing on making pieces which are not only beautiful to look at but are a pleasure to use too. I embrace the fact that each item is uniquely handmade, for example a makers mark in the form of a finger outline where I held the pot to glaze it, or using my hands rather than tools to create as much of the pot as I can, allowing the pot to tell a story of its creation.
I am currently developing my own tableware line, selling through galleries and shops I admire while also producing plates for high end restaurants. Making tableware for restaurants has become one of my most enjoyable tasks as taking the dish the plate will be used for into consideration during the designing and making of the plates results in outcomes that push my skills and cause me to create something I most likely would not have if it wasn’t for the chef’s brief.
Where I can, I use sustainable ways to create my work, such as firing to cooler temperatures, using clean energy to power my kiln and ensuring the clay I work with uses a less invasive mining process. In this way I hope that the work I make will be treasured and passed down through generations to come.
Stockists:
Thrown Contemporary
Leach Pottery
Kirsty Bridgewater
Porthminster Beach Cafe
The Shop at Tremenhere
Dor, Falmouth
Exhibitions
Holy Moly, Bosulval Studios, Newmill. December 2023
PZ Eleven, The Crypt, St Ives. July 2023
Celebrating 10 Years, Leach Pottery. St Ives. March 2018- April 2019
The Leach Pottery: Living The Legacy. Highgate. September 2018
Journeys in Paper, LINLEY. Belgravia, London.February-March 2017
Paperscissorsbook, Rural Touring Scheme. Cumbria. 2016
One Year On, New Designers. Islington, London. 2016
Portal, Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre. 2015
New Designers, London. 2015
Contemporary Crafts Graduate Show, Falmouth University. 2015
Crafting the Cathedral, Turo. 2015
Artsploitation, 2014
Awards
Shortlisted for New Designer of the Year, New Designers. 2015
Education
Leach Pottery Internship 2016-2018
BA Hons Contemporary Crafts, Falmouth University. 2015
Level 4 Foundation, Bristol School of Art. 2012