The Kindred collection is a family of pieces in black stoneware clay. I like to reflect the inherent qualities of the clay itself, leaving it unglazed, and I form and decorate using the minimum of tools, so that the finished piece can reflect the material and the maker.

I use just my hands to shape each piece from a flattened sheet of clay, then apply slip (liquid clay) decorative designs with a natural sponge over torn paper stencils and resists. The motifs are influenced by textile designs and artwork from the early 20th century, while the forms have echoes of Cycladic and Minoan votive pottery.

While there are recurring shapes, motifs and colours in my work, each piece is entirely unique in its form and decoration. The work is fired to 1185 degrees Celsius in an electric kiln over a period of 12 hours. Pieces bear my maker’s mark of a swallow impressed into the base.