Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your practice

Oxford born and bred, I always felt like an artist, so art school at 16 was the obvious choice.

However, I trained as an OT ‘twixt art schools and practiced (unofficial) art therapy while becoming a ceramicist.

I made functional pots after living overseas for several years and then made sculptural pots with hand-building techniques which I sawdust-fired to combine with found wood.

I’ve done projects with asylum-seekers and homeless people, as well as teach.

I like to use my skills to help disadvantaged people.

This has impacted my own work.

What are you currently working on?

I have been working toward this exhibition since visiting the last gulag in the Urals in Russia, which closed only fourteen years ago.

I was profoundly moved by the site, which is now a museum, and saw how people were forced to work in sub-zero temperatures to build railways. Many died of starvation, but the authorities didn’t care, because there were plenty of people to replace them.

How do you spend your time when you are at the studios?

I spend a lot of time doing work around my classes: preparing materials, firing, etc ....... and talking to fellow artists !

My work is fitted in around this essential part of MRS life and people’s comments are always valued

What are your other (work) commitments if any?

I am the church warden of Ewelme church and I have a garden and an allotment as well as several grandchildren.

How does having a studio at Magdalen Road support your work?

I find it very congenial to have artists to bounce ideas off and give support .

Living in a vacuum and feeling at odds with the world is not inducive to good work

What are you hoping to achieve over the next year?

I am hoping to achieve equilibrium.