Centrespace welcomes back ‘Bristol Clay’: the city’s largest group exhibition in ceramics

Perhaps buoyed by the succcess of Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throwdown, ceramics is undoubtedly undergoing a renaissance.

Bringing together a group of 13 women artists representing a diverse mix in ceramics styles, techniques and innovations, the returning group exhibition Bristol Clay comes to Centrespace Studios and Gallery for a 12 day residency that begins on November 11.

Through myriad examples, its aim is to represent “the infinite possibility of clay”, as well as sharing skills and experiences in order to support artistic development within the pottery community.

The artists include those who have never previously shown any work in public, as well as more established ceramicists and sculptors based at home and at studios dotted across Bristol, from Mudworks, to Windmill Studios, Clay Shed and Estate of the Arts.

Throughout Bristol Clay, members of the collective will be available to discuss the work and offer advice to budding potters. There will also be a shop selling collectable pieces from all the exhibiting artists, to take away on the day.

Bristol24/7 asked four of the group to introduce their particular styles of working, what they will be showing at the exhibition, and how the ceramics community has helped to shape them as artists.

Laura Grainger – self-taught ceramic artist, usually working in stoneware clay

“I would describe myself as a ‘craftivist’ using my art to highlight social injustice, climate change and political activism via the medium of clay! I encourage collective empowerment, compassion and justice.

“My piece Words to change the world highlights how language can be weaponized to dehumanise, disconnect and divide us. Once otherness takes hold, we can ignore those escaping war, the homeless and vulnerable. Conversely, words can also be used to rescue our planet, and to understand each other better. My work encourages discussion, building connection and empowering the common good.

Ceramics work by Laura Grainger – photo: courtesy of the artist

“Learning ceramics in Bristol has been easy, right from my early journey with evening classes under Sam Hallett at the Bristol Folk House who encouraged me to pour my anarchic energy into the clay. Next I became a resident at the Clay Shed studios, where the team helped me learn how to fire kilns and find my own ceramic voice.

“I now have my own studio in Yate where I offer one-on-one wheel classes, and craftivism mug-making workshops. I recently got into woodfiring at Lyde Green pottery under the watchful eye of Phil Root, and my science brain soaked up all the chemistry involved in the alchemy of ceramics. There are so many opportunities, and generous potters willing to impart their knowledge in Bristol, we are spoiled!”

Laura Grainger with her work – photo: courtesy of the artist

Lucy Winch – ceramicist making thrown functional ware, with high fire slips and glazes

“I am a thoughtful, contemplative artist; one which is drawn to cool and warm palettes and an Eastern Asian aesthetic. I have spent many years learning my craft and am fascinated by the response, emotional or physical, that a piece can evoke in the viewer. I am also a scientist which may seem quite yin and yang but complements me completely. I make my own glazes and enjoy researching and understanding glazes, which brings me closer to my finished pieces.

“I have had a love of Korean and Japanese ceramics for many years and I am also inspired by Japanese craftsmanship in cabinetry, fabric design, natural dyeing using indigo and Shibori (Japanese tie dye technique), and more recently ancient and modern ‘moon vases’. Research in these areas led me to the Japanese art of flower arranging called Ikebana. The vases associated with this art form are integral to the design and aesthetic of the finished piece.

Work by Lucy Winch – photo: courtesy of the artist

“I will be making several Ikebana vases for this exhibition to explore the connection between the flora, the vessel they are displayed in, and the response evoked in the viewer.

“For me, the local ceramics community are like a big family who are constantly enthusiastic and welcoming and happy to share their experiences with their craft. I run basic glaze ‘theory and practice’ courses and the people who attend never fail to inspire me. I also invest in ceramics courses for my professional development; Bristol and its surrounding area have a number of high quality, well-run ceramic studios that provide great courses.”

Work by Lucy Winch – photo: courtesy of the artist

Rhi Jarman – unique handcrafted ceramics artist and sculptor working in stoneware, porcelain and found objects like wood, lichen and sea glass

“I’m a ceramic artist who draws inspiration from the natural world and its curiosities. My artwork is influenced by natural history collections and scientific illustration; it is both a celebration of our environment and its diverse beauty, and a reminder of its fragility. I am particularly interested in the often-overlooked fauna, flora and fungi that play vital roles in balancing our delicate ecosystems.

“I use a combination of hand-building, sculpting, and wheel-throwing techniques. My work takes a variety of forms, ranging from decorative sculptures and wearable art, to homeware and functional pieces. I love to discover and explore new techniques, and as a medium, clay holds infinite possibilities for learning and experimentation.

Rhi Jarman with her work – photo: courtesy of the artist

“For Bristol Clay 2023, I am exploring a series of new works inspired by coastal environments and tide pool habitats. Thrown and sculpted elements will be combined with impressions of coastal textures from the landscape, such as coral, shells and fossils, as well as beach-combed treasures like melted sea glass. My newest forms will straddle the line between functional pottery and decorative sculpture.

“Finding your way as an artist is HARD! Being connected to the local ceramics community has been extremely important to develop and grow both my creative practice, as well as myself as an artist. Bristol’s shared studio spaces have been brilliant for meeting other ceramic artists, and have helped me to learn and develop new skills. I’m super excited to have recently moved into the new Mudworks studio in Windmill Hill, a new shared studio and workshop space founded by Bristol Clay member, Miranda Wells. I’ve also received invaluable peer support from the collective, along with exciting opportunities to exhibit.”

Work by Rhi Jarman – photo: courtesy of the artist

Susannah Peacock – ornamental architectural ceramic sculptor

“After experiments with other clays, I find stoneware is the strongest and most malleable for my purposes. I do one firing and then paint and gold and silver leaf the sculptures. This is derived from ancient practices, particularly Medieval sculpture. I am primarily a sculptor but my love of architecture is at the centre of my journey.

“My sculptures are inspired by antiquity, and the bizarre creatures on Medieval maps; the starting point to create my own mythical menagerie – from fishes with dog or human faces, to mermaids with contemporary hair styles, etc. For this exhibition, I will be creating a collection of creatures that are developed from both the maps and from my own experiences and development.

Portrait of Susannah Peacock with her work – photo: courtesy of the artist

“Before I took a studio at the Clay Shed, I had not touched clay in 25 years. In my first year there, I re-learned techniques, had constant advice and support from the expert team at the Clay Shed and learned from my fellow ceramicists.

“Ceramicists are an open, friendly, supportive bunch of craftspeople and artists so, if someone was interested in trying their hand at ceramics, they will find a huge choice of supportive courses and workshops across this creative city of ours!”

Work by Susannah Peacock – photo: courtesy of the artist

Bristol Clay is at Centrespace Gallery on November 11-22, open daily from 10.30am-5pm, and 10am-4pm on Sundays. There is a private view evening on November 10, from 6-8.30pm. For more information, visit www.centrespace.org.uk.

Main photo: work by Laura Grainger

Read more: Debut exhibition for female collective of Bristol potters

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