My work is an accumulation of all the experiences and education I have had over many years, influences by teachers, tutors, places lived, places taught and a constant investigation into a material that has shaped the way I live my life.
Ceramicist and Teacher
Since studying Ceramics at West Surrey College of Art and Design, Jo has been teaching in Universities, Colleges and Schools, and in recent years she has continued sharing her knowledge by holding classes and workshops in her local studio. Jo makes and sells her own work in her shop in shop front as well as making commissions and exhibitions.
Based in Rural Somerset, on the edge of Exmoor.
Jo’s studio is situated in the heart of the town Wiveliscombe. Having a longstanding history of studio pottery in the south west, Jo grew up alongside the influence of other potters as well as studying it at school from the age 14.
Jo set up the studio in January 2000 to create a space for people to come and learn pottery and for her to create her work. Since then the space has become a hive of creativity for people to learn all aspects of pottery. Jo’s well equipped studio includes 3 electric potters wheels, numerous tables for hand building, a separate glaze room and two electric kilns in a building off from her studio.
A way of life
Working in all areas of ceramics has given Jo a love and appreciation for clay and its history but her main love is found on the potters wheel. Jo is most at home when throwing, all areas of her practice lead back to her trying to maintain the fresh, rawness and life found in thrown clay.
In recent years she has continuously experimented in making and developing glazes for her work. Taking a snapshot in time from the wheel to finished product, highlighting all the intentional and accidental mark making within the process. The glazes are made to give a sense of depth and translucency to the clay underneath.
Being a lover of good food and cooking, Jo’s work has always been a centred around enhancing that experience. To bring enjoyment of that process through the functionality and everyday use of the pots and for the occasional celebration.
The idea that clay has evolved over thousands of years, been dug up, fashioned by hand and then used and admired everyday, is part of the continual fascination and passion that I have for this most natural of material.
