Jill Tattersall Ceramics

Artist statement

I have been influenced by mid-century art and design in my work, recently 60’s design and Op Art patterns featuring asymmetric shapes, spots and stripes. I like to think of my ceramics dancing to music, northern soul is a particular favourite.

I explore opposites; the tactile and visual contrasts between materials and techniques; the interplay between matte and shiny surfaces, black and white tones; I prefer to work with the smooth whiteness of porcelain

My wall pieces play with visual perception. We see the orange interior of the vase as though viewing from above whilst the base is a horizontal line sitting on our eye level. The decoration suggests 3D form but is flat; it also suggests movement but is static. The discs could be spinning and the panels shuffling and swaying.

About me

I began making ceramics as part of my art A level many years ago but after a foundation course chose to study fashion and textiles at St Martin's School of Art, London.

As a student however I continued my interest in ceramics by visiting Brick Lane each week and building up a collection of vases from the 1950s and 60s. After college I set up a fashion company with 2 friends and we showed at London Fashion Week for several seasons. I then worked in textile design studios producing print designs for high street brands for 4 years.

I then began teaching in higher and further education across a wide range of art and design specialisms including textiles, graphics and 3D. It was during this time that I became keen to develop my wheel throwing skills, and I took classes at the Working Men’s College

In 2020 I joined Cernamic studio, set up by Nam Tran, an ex-student.  As a member of this diverse and dynamic studio I was able to devote more time to my practice, develop my skills further and experiment with ceramics materials, techniques and processes to my heart's content.

I feel that I have come full circle; fashion and textile design and its concern for structure and surface now applied to ceramics.