2018-2022
The Taiwan Years
Hidden away down a little alley, in the densely jungled volcanic mountains above Taipei, is where my love affair with wheel-thrown pottery took hold. Guided by patient tutors and working alongside the inspirational and adventurous ceramics students from the nearby Cultural University, I spent hours and hours each week at Cloud Forest Ceramics. I was taught to throw, trim, use tools (not many) and the basics of mixing my own glazes. Largely unhindered by the Covid years (albeit being pretty much unable to leave the island) pottery continued; masked, sometimes solitary, I would hike the mile and a half from my home in the city, through the forests, past the Formosan Macaques, stepping over the snakes, accompanied by my faithful old Taiwanese friend, Milo. I found a new peace and almost meditation through pottery. Cloud Forest is where it really began, and there will be always part of my heart that remains there.
My earliest work
everyone starts somewhere. some is 'better', some is undeniably worse! the adventures experimenting, testing, challenging myself to throw better, more steadily, more complex forms brought daily joy. some of my favourite pieces were from those early years. arguably imperfect and existing, much loved, in my Teesdale kitchen.
Inspiration
Ceramics is a highly respected and celebrated art form in Taiwan; all over the country there are small scale makers, tiny galleries and ceramics museums and shops. The individual is prized; unique is given value over uniformity.
Cloud Forest also periodically hosted visiting potters such as Jack Doherty, Agnes Husz, Ruthanne Tudball and Daniel Castelaz to share their experience and exhibit their work in the small gallery that had been created next door.
Jack Doherty's exhibition
