about

I'm a ceramist working from a cottage studio on the outskirts of Belfast, Northern Ireland. I love working with clay and am mainly a wheel thrower. Drawn to timeless ceramics with an organic line, I am influenced by a minimal aesthetic. I aim to highlight the beauty of simple form and the character of hand made objects by creating pieces that bring a sense of calm to their surroundings.

High fired for strength and durability, I produce small batches of useful ware and at times sculptural pieces, often designed for specific purpose and place, using a wide variety of clay bodies including reclaimed clay from my studio - I try to promote an environmentally conscious lifestyle as far as possible. I like to experiment with locally sourced materials where I can, including ash from my own wood stove. All of this is a slow process in which natural production times are respected - designing, trimming, drying, bisque firing, glazing and then high firing takes several weeks from start to finish.

Applying an intuitive response to the material, my work is constantly evolving with quiet form enhanced by a palette of refined slips and blended glazes using neutral tones to inspire the senses. Small imperfections are part of the beauty of hand made items so no two pieces will be exactly the same, and that in turn makes them unique and special.

My inspiration comes from many places - I love the form of modern Japanese and Nordic ceramic design. Yet I have always been drawn to ancient pots, like those of the Beaker People found here in Northern Ireland, and Ancient Greek Cycladic Marble. And nature, especially the coast with rugged, eroded surface, bleached tones of stone, pebble, sand and shell which contrast with the vibrant colours of the sea and marine life - I like to include these materials in my work to echo this sense of place.