Artist Bio

Vanessa is originally from Berkshire and studied a BA (Hons) degree in 3 Dimensional Design at Manchester, working with wood, metal, ceramics and glass. She spent 30 years as an Art, Textiles and Product Design teacher, whilst continuing to make her own work. 
 

Vanessa is currently working with toasted stoneware, using a combination of wheel and hand-built techniques, to manipulate and distort the clays.

Her glazed ‘Shipwreck’ pots and vessels are thrown on the wheel, then textures are added before reshaping each pot on the wheel using heat and additional clay. Unintentional holes, slits and uneven edges give each pot it’s individuality.

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'I enjoy the unpredictability of the clay and texture as I manipulate it into sculptural and functional ceramics. I create my own textures from objects found on my travels and then finish the pots off with exciting metallic and ocean-coloured glazes, which enhance the textures.'

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Vanessa's pots can be purely ornamental or can be used for plants, candles and storage.