Artist Statement – Jane Clowes ceramics
I am a ceramicist working from my studio in Stoke on Trent.
I make handmade slab built domestic and decorative ware inspired by the Staffordshire Pottery slipware tradition and mid century design. I combine the precision of hand building techniques and the gestural nature of slip decoration and stencil work. The emphasis on the joining technique is exaggerated by using a contrasting coloured slip and a clay wrapping technique. I enjoy the play of white clay and soft slip joints.
My work relates to coastal locations and my drawings of sea birds and wading birds are drawn using a variety of tonal mark making techniques. I draw from nature and a collection of vintage bird books. I apply my drawings over a transparent glaze as tonal ceramic transfers. Each piece is hand made and therefore different. I enjoy working within a limited colour palette exploring the colours of the coast – tones of blues and yellow ochre.
In my range of hand decorated tiles I take a freer, more painterly approach as a background for my drawings using brushstrokes and gestural painting with coloured slips along with small areas of stencil work.
