found...formed...fired
shaped by traces of place and time
My work is inspired by mudlarking, the search for lost treasures along the foreshore of the River Thames in London. These fragments of lives once lived, patiently waiting to be rediscovered, deeply influence both my practice and processes. Whether it is a clay pipe, an old buckle, or a piece of rusted metal, I am drawn to the untold stories each object may hold. Every find sparks new questions and possibilities, inviting me to imagine the people, histories, and narratives to which it once belonged.
From my studio in Kent I create ceramic pieces that explore form, surface and found materials. Using alternative firing techniques I embrace the unpredictable nature of fire and smoke to produce layered surfaces rich in texture, character, and history. These alternative firing methods, including smoke firing and raku, are integral to my work. These techniques create rich surfaces, subtle markings and a sense of age and patina that cannot be fully controlled or predicted. For me, fire and smoke are collaborators in the creative process, leaving their own traces and shaping the final piece in unexpected ways.
Text is also a recurring element within my ceramics. Handwritten and screen-printed words are often applied before the final firing, becoming part of an uncertain and evolving process. Some words disappear, some remain, and others resist the flames, leaving traces of what was once there. Much like the mudlarked finds that inspire me only fragments survive. I am fascinated by these remnants and absences, and by the way they invite us to imagine what has been lost, what endures, and what can still be discovered. Through these layered surfaces and partial narratives, I hope to create objects that feel both familiar and mysterious, inviting viewers to form their own connections with the stories they contain.
raku
a pure feat of alchemy! Click on the link to see more....
