“Building and surface combine to form a ritual process akin to working with the shadows of time and place”

My work explores human experience through the magical, mysterious and sacred. It calls to our common humanity through form and surface.

Our earliest ancestors first shaped their environment by shaping and coiling the earth. Working with these ancient methods, engaging with the earth itself, I’m connecting with our distant, common past. Each rhythmic placing of a coil brings a deeper engagement.

The ephemeral nature and limited palette of smoke firing are a perfect vehicle for these enquiries. Smoke is a natural dye permeating the surface in a live way that calls for sensitivity. Working with it means that my work retains a live persona.

Inspiration

A deep fascination for indigenous cultures, legends, folk art and tribal art have been with me since childhood, fostered by many visits to the Cambridge museums and prehistoric sites.

Background

I’ve worked with ceramics since training as a teacher in art and design in the late 1980s. Specialising in art, religious studies and multi-cultural education, I formed a passion for handcoiling and natural low-fired decoration. I developed my own resist techniques and exhibited nationally including Selfridges London, St Ives gallery and Gallery 27 in Cork Street London, represented by Kate Chertavian Fine Art (then David Bowie’s art agent) and exhibiting under my maiden name, Jane Day. JD remains my signature mark.

I became Ceramics Technician at Bath College and then Lecturer in Art and Design. As subject leader for ceramics I led the A level and City and Guilds programmes as well as visual studies, art therapy, surface pattern and print across levels 2-3.

The demands of family life brought changes. From 2009 I established an artisan tile venture before ordaining as an Interfaith Minister in 2018. After a year of spiritual teaching I returned to hand building; the core passion of my life. My work now centres on the metaphorical language of clay and the value of making. The plasticity of clay enables me to pursue a variety of forms.

Recent exhibitions

My first exhibition on return was at Brownsword Hepworth gallery in Kensington, London (November 2021). It was a sell-out success. Since then I’ve exhibited at galleries including Beaux Arts Bath, Vanner Gallery (Salisbury). Gallery 57 (Arundel) and Contemporary Ceramics (London).

Awards and publications

In 1998 I was awarded a development grant from South West Arts before travelling extensively from East to South Africa researching the use of clay as a spiritual medium. You can read my article ‘Searching for Spirit’in Ceramic Review edition 185.

The British Council funded me in 1999 to lead workshops at the University of Namibia. I was then fortunate to be invited by the Potters Association of Namibia to act as guest artist and judge for their annual televised exhibition.

Selected member of Craft Potters Association since 2022.

Upcoming workshops

I lead workshops on hand building and coiling masterclasses. Workshops in Frome are bookable through my shop page. I also give talks on creativity, aesthetics and the value of craft. More info on this is on my shop page. I welcome studio visits at my home in Frome, Somerset.