Can you start by introducing yourself and sharing an overview of your artistic practice?
I studied Illustration and Cartooning and after discovering ceramics I have been working in clay as my predominant medium for the last 9 years.
What led you to explore ceramics? Was there a specific moment or inspiration that sparked your interest in working with clay?
I always loved making things and using my hands. When I was at university I had been making as many different types of things as I could – books, screenprints, etching, woodcuts, comics, papercuts, clothing, paintings – all with the aim of trying to find how I could get them to tell the stories I wanted in hopefully some sort of new way. So when I finally did a ceramics class I loved that I could make everything about what I was trying to do. I was in control. Sort of.
How central is narrative to your practice, and how does it shape your work?
A narrative is the beginning of almost all my work. I like to think of my work as a comic but using pots and things instead of pages.
Did you receive formal training in ceramics, or did you develop your skills independently?
Yes, I did the one class and then took it from there.
In what ways do your two-dimensional works, like drawings, influence your three-dimensional creations, and vice versa?
I always start almost all my ceramic work with drawings in my sketchbook. I am not very good at just winging a piece. I like to of drawn it out so I know how it will feel and what colours I will use. Often the sketch will have something about it that I will want to re-capture for the finished work.
Where do you typically find inspiration for your art? Are there particular themes or sources that resonate with you?
I find inspiration in so many things, probably the only thing I don’t is a beautiful view. Over the years I have built up my collections of books, magazines and images of fishing, magic, cooking, car crashes, cowboys, porn etc. I steal a lot from paintings and art that I like too. Comics and their darkness mixed with humour has also always been a huge influence.
Can you walk us through your creative process, from concept to completion?
For these works I wanted to feel more loose and unstructured than how I normally work so I decided to make whatever image I felt excited me in that moment. With that I translated either a scene I have made up or stolen from photos or paintings and draw it out in my sketchbook. After the drawing stage I will handbuild a pot with heavily grogged terracotta. After it has dried but before firing I will copy my drawing from my sketchbook onto the surface. I then paint it almost like watercolour using washy layers of black underglaze. Finally, I will fire it.
Where do you create your work? Could you share a bit about your studio or workspace?
I work from my studio in Brixton. I have a kiln and lots of buckets. I use my studio to store a lot of the things I collect. All my bits of newspapers and postcards and objects. I watch a lot of tv there and listen to a lot of radio.
How would you describe the pieces you’ll be exhibiting at County Hall Pottery Gallery? What do you hope viewers take away from them?
These works I view as small snapshots of how I see the world. There is a certain amount of my sense of humour mixed with my never-ending interest in cruelty and unfairness. I want viewers to build up their own ideas through the works being side by side. I love the idea that sculptural work can form a collage. The use of terracotta and black references my interest in ancient Greek Pottery and their love of storytelling.
Do you have preferred techniques or materials you work with in ceramics? What draws you to these approaches?
I really enjoy keeping my process simple in a lot of ways. I handbuild everything. It gives me more freedom with shapes and ideas. I feel like there is always a way to build whatever you want; you just have to work around your restrictions. And that can be fun in itself.
What are you currently working on? Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions we should look forward to?
I am about to take part in a residency at Anderson Ranch in Aspen, early this year.