What inspires you to work with ceramics?
I enjoy the immediacy of clay, the material's plastic qualities
combine an unrivalled ability to hold marks and take on forms. I
think the discipline of working within a process is interesting,
where limitations create infinite possibilities, but I recognise
that I also work with clay partly out of habit which is interesting
and problematic in equal measure.
I am interested in the familiarity of ceramic objects, the
chances are we all touch something made from clay on a daily basis,
whether it be a favourite mug, tiles on a bathroom wall, a dinner
plate or flower vase, I think that our reflexive reaction to clay
and anything made from clay is to touch.
How do you feel when you see people handling your work? Do you
ever worry they’ll break it?
Of course, and it is sad when things get broken, but it is an
inevitable part of the life of ceramic objects: some get
broken, some get used daily, some get carefully packed away, some
get passed on as gifts. I am interested in the multiple stories and
meanings these objects can accumulate over lifetimes and so I think
it is very important to acknowledge this by inviting people to
experience the work very directly.
Are there any artists you particularly admire, and who inspire
or influence your work?
All sorts of people doing all sorts of different things, not
just artists. Here are a few I often return to or am thinking about
at the moment, in no particular order: Claude Heath, Richard
Wright, Jacqueline Ponclet, Robert Dawson, Herzog and De Meuron,
Anni Albers, Felicity Aylieff, Ellen Gallagher, Owen Jones, Henry
Welcome, James Hugonin, Michael Lin, Claire Barclay, Dawn Youll,
Daniel Millar, James Putnam.
Tell us about the collection you’re presenting in Meet Your
Maker.
I hope that people will want to take the time to explore the
work further through one of the handing sessions and that these
sessions will create opportunities to hold conversations, share
ideas and tell stories about the personal associations the
collection evokes.
What is your favourite piece of craft that you own?
At the moment I am gaining a great deal of pleasure from wearing
a very beautiful brooch made by Karen Mcmillan. It is made from a
large piece of yellow perspex inlaid with black dots that make up a
random repeat pattern of petal or droplet shapes. It is slightly
awkward to look at as the shapes appear to be jostling for
position like insects or cells. The decorative motif is one that I
have seen many different times in many different places and I have
used it in my own work – this makes me think about the universality
of decorative language. It is interesting to wear because I
feel like I am exhibiting a drawing, a mobile artwork.