Path and Inspiration
My early career as a journalist in London meant that pottery was a hobby initially, but it soon turned into a passion after I moved to Kenya. In my thatched, mud walled, Nairobi studio I began to coil build in the traditional African way, learning from local potters. My forms are symmetrical but I am not after perfection; I prefer the subtle vitality and organic quality of coiled pots, untouched by machines.Process and Practice
My work is mainly coil built using techniques I learned when living in East Africa. This involves building a wall of clay then stretching it out to the required form whilst turning it on a banding wheel. My vessels have a narrow foot so I usually start them in a shallow mould for support and speed of building. The foot is added at the end using a thrown coil.
