Introducing the next artist who will be taking part in Tinsmiths’ Silva exhibition, slipware potter, Jessica Turrell. Jessica’s practice is a mix of hand building and throwing using a potter’s wheel. Based in Lynmouth, Devon where she shares studio space with fellow potter, Russell Kingston.
Tinsmiths began stocking a collection of Jessica Turrell’s work this year following her recent graduation from The Clay College in Stoke. Clay College students are taught by practicing national and international makers and follow an intense period of study which covers all aspects of design, throwing, glazing, kiln building and firing, alongside traditional hand building and decoration techniques.
During this intense period of training, Jessica further developed her own style of slipware rooted in a traditional North Devon style of pottery. Further inspired by the Devonshire landscape in which she grew up in, her pieces are glazed in tones of rich honey, dark treacle and sage greens. Jessica uses her love of the soft, warm qualities of earthenware to create functional, country-style pottery which has an engaging and energetic, illustrative element.
Jessica takes great pleasure in adding details such as pie crust edging to plates and salt pigs. Forming textures from handmade clay stamps to create details on bird wings and small bowls. Jessica allows the white slip to pool in crevices and break over sharper edges, adding further dimension and movement to her pots. This liveliness is further enhanced with her use of a slip trailer, using it to draw, usually leaves and plants, enjoying the fluidity in the mark making and the movement in the oxides that can happen in the kiln.
We can’t wait for the exhibition to show you more of Jessica’s work!
3rd – 30th September 2022
Heritage Centre, Church Lane, Ledbury
Opening times: during h.Art; Saturday 3rd – Sunday 11th September 10am-5pm
Thereafter, Wednesday to Saturday 10am-4pm
Launch Day Events Saturday 3rd September
11am-1pm Meet the Maker
10am-4pm Charity Pottery Throwdown
Absolutely love this work
Do come along to the exhibition if you can. There will be a launch day on 3rd September 10am-4pm. We will have more of Jessica’s work on the Tinsmiths’ website in due course.