CERAMISIST-HANNAH WILSON

Tell us about your work

I create one-off handbuilt smoke-fired ceramics. I work from my studio in my garden in Henley. I first started working with clay during my degree in Three Dimensional Design - I instantly fell in love with the hands-on way of working and manipulating clay. I loved how responsive the clay was, how it could be moulded and worked on throughout the making process, and still do today.

Since then, I’ve been making and exhibiting, including a few years working in a fantastic cooperative ceramics studio in Boston (USA). It was a wonderful place; I feel it was here that my confidence as a professional maker really developed.

While my children were young, I had several years away from making. Now they’re a little older, it feels the right time to be back getting my hands covered in clay.

My pots are all coil-built and my bowls start in a mould, they then go through a series of stages where they are refined by scraping, burnishing and adding texture before firing.

The final stage is how I add the pattern in the smoke firing: this is fast, unpredictable and very exciting! The thrill of opening the pit after a firing never goes away, cleaning up and polishing each piece to see the smoke patterns on the clay surface is something which I continue to enjoy each time.

What made you decide to start your creative business?

 I just have a love for making and can’t imagine doing anything else! It’s this desire to keep making and the constant drive to make the next piece that pushes my business forward, if I can keep selling I can keep making.

The enjoyment I get when I see people admiring my work keeps me focused. Knowing that people want my work in their homes is a wonderful feeling.

However, my business skills are somewhat lacking at times - because each piece takes on its own personality during the making process, and knowing that each pot can never be recreated, I often find it hard to part with pieces and I can’t bring myself to sell them!

Where do you find inspiration?

I’m inspired by nature, texture and pattern.  My forms often begin with something I’ve seen in the countryside or my garden. Once in the studio, the making process takes over and it becomes a journey from one piece to the next, each time evolving - striving for the perfect form. 

My love of travel has influenced my work, going to new places and seeing them for the first time makes me open my eyes and look at things differently.

Before my degree, I spent some time working in southern Africa, which hugely influenced my early work and some of my work today. I didn’t realise at the time what an impact it would have on me artistically. Both the colours and landscapes have had a lasting impact on my work.

What has been the biggest highlight to date?

A standout career highlight was when Magdalene Odundo visited one of my first open studio events. I wasn’t long out of university and I was so overwhelmed by having a world class potter who has work permanently in the British museum at my house! I could kick myself now when I think of all the things I’d like to ask her. I may have been starstruck but she was lovely and so encouraging that it has stuck with me to this day.

What’s been your biggest challenge?

Getting back into making after the break to have my family. During this time I don’t think I realised how much I missed creating. To begin making again seemed an impossible task, but thankfully I have stuck with it. I have to thank the Creative Ducks who are helping me get to grips with the many balls that need juggling when you’re a sole business owner!

I now look back and wonder how I managed to go for so long without firing my kiln and smelling of bonfires!!

Best nugget of wisdom?

Just keep making. Keep creating. Even if it’s not your professional discipline: it might be play-doh with the kids, a painting course or learning to crochet (all things I did in my time off!). Anything that keeps your creative juices flowing will lead back into what you want to achieve.

Where can we find your work?

www.hannahwilsonceramics.com

Instagram @hannahsceramics

https://www.facebook.com/hannahwilsonceramics/