“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”

Jane lives and works in Frome, bordering the ancient sites of Avebury and Stonehenge. Her practice is rooted in the meditative process of coiling, a technique that connects deeply with humanity’s earliest creative expressions. Through hand building and smoke firing she explores themes of ritual, memory, and our intrinsic connection to the earth. She is a selected member of Craft Potters Association and Homo Faber Guide.

Artistic Practice

Jane’s work delves into the magical, mysterious and sacred aspects of human experience with a fascination for the power of object. The slow, rhythmic nature of coiling fosters a contemplative state, allowing each piece to evolve organically. She applies her own resist smoke-firing techniques in a simple brick kiln, embracing the unpredictability of flame and smoke to create surfaces that echo ancient artefacts and universal symbols. These elements aim to evoke sense of shared humanity and timelessness.

During the 2020 lockdown Jane worked on her ‘moon jars’ series, coiling one vessel per lunar cycle. Each served as an intuitive narrative reflecting personal introspection, seasonal changes and global events. They became an autobiographical document enmeshed with the cyclical lunar rhythms; the permeable clay and my permeable self receiving and filtering events and response.

Working on a large scale creates time for deep contemplation. The building is simple and ritualistic. The inner space created within the vessel seems to act as a depository for thought and enquiry; a focus space. The form becomes the shell, the container of volume and energy. Jane sees them ultimately as poems - thoughts in form.

Sustainability

Sustainability is central to her practice. A minimal approach to materials, practice and firing has always been at core. She uses natural clay pigments and minimal smoke firing techniques, firing to low temperatures.

Background

Jane has worked with clay since 1990 as technician, full time art and design lecturer and practitioner. Early career included a Development Award from South West Arts (1998) and collaborative projects in Namibia supported by the British Council and University of Namibia (1999) conducting workshops in the Kalahari desert. Her article ‘Searching for Spirit’ was published by Ceramic Review (issue 185). She was represented by Kate Chertavian Fine Art and sold work through Selfridges and St Ives gallery.

From 2012 Jane took a career break to bring up her sons as a single mother. She became ordained as an Interfaith Minister in 2018. After a year of spiritual teaching she returned to ceramics, integrating her spiritual approach into her artistic practice.

Recent work

Since resuming her ceramics journey Jane has had solo shows at Brownsword Hepworth gallery in Kensington, London (2021) Vanner Gallery, Salisbury, Beaux Arts Bath and David Simon Contemporary. Group exhibitions include Contemporary Ceramics (London), Vanner Gallery (Salisbury), Gallery 57 (Arundel), Velarde gallery (Kingsbridge). Events include Celebrating Ceramics, Potfest in the Park and Oxford Ceramics Fair.

Recent projects include ‘Vessels’ exhibition in Salisbury and ‘Vessels Art Trail’ in St Michael and All Angels, Gwernensey, curated by Jacquiline Creswell with Arts in Christianity and Friends of Friendless Churches.

Full CV is here.

Next solo exhibition is ‘Membrane’ at Black Swan Arts, Frome, Somerset from 20 June to 21st July 2025