Highlighting six makers whose works revel in the textures and forms of the earth, from jagged volcanic shapes to soft, organic surfaces. Each maker is a master of their craft, working in conversation with natural materials to let clay and wood speak.
Darren Appiagyei
Tangibly connected both to the trees of London and Ghana, Darren Appiagyei's turned wooden vessels celebrate the rough beauty of knots, bark and grain. Inspired by Ghanaian woodcarving, his work explores the tactile contradictions between rough and smooth, each vessel seeming to emerge out of the woodland itself. His practice has an emphasis on sustainability and connection to local geographies - his works are largely carved from trees which have fallen naturally in the woods of Shooter's Hill in South East London. Named by many publications as 'one to watch', he is a recipient of UAL and Cockpit Arts grants, which support his ongoing mission to create functional objects which are just as at home in a living room as in the forest.
See more of Darren Appiagyei's work here.
Lise Herund Braten
Imbued with memories of her upbringing in the rugged Norwegian landscape, Lise Herund Braten creates shape-shifting ceramic vases, jars and vessels. Her practice spans delicate, thrown vessels to roughly-hewn slabs of clay which adapt the textures of wood into stoneware. Layered glazes and oxides recall the natural aging process of both natural and urban environments, each piece carrying layers of history with it. She is interested in the spontaneous nature of making, in which each mark acts as a reminder of a specific moment in time.
See more of Lise Herund Braten's work here.
Akiko hirai
Akiko Hirai's ceramics have been internationally acclaimed for their volcanic textures. Her glacial moon jar, inspired by ancient Korean ceramics, is imbued with a dichotomy between soft and hard, gentle and aggressive. Coated in translucent, glowing glazes, its gnarled, rocky surfaces are acutely in touch with the earth and the potential of clay. Each moon jar is a standout masterpiece which fills a room with its personality.
See more of Akiko Hirai's work here.
Bert Marsh
Bert Marsh is considered a master of the craft of woodturning, and his work is housed in collections and homes internationally. His practice was fuelled by a profound desire to find the purest, most distilled forms to draw out the natural beauty of woodgrain, creating delicate vessels which are testament to what can be achieved by perfecting a craft.
See more of Bert Marsh's work here.
Tessa Eastman
Tessa Eastman's beguiling ceramic works have found a dedicated following amongst collectors for her innovative use of materials. Beginning in intensive research in the potentials of clays and glazes, Eastman creates porous, alchemical sculptures which echo micro- and macrocosms. Interweaving smooth and weathered textures, her sinuous forms echo both celestial and microscopic bodies.
See more of Tessa Eastman's work here.
Rosa Wiland Holmes
Winner of the 2020 Great Pottery Throwdown, Rosa Wiland Holmes' ceramics are deeply inspired by the shorelines of Denmark where she grew up. She integrates the landscape into the making process by applying sand from Danish beaches to her moon jars, creating mesmerising surfaces which invite you in to touch.
See more of Rosa Wiland Holmes' work here.
