Contemporary ceramics by Wendy Dawson-Young
I am a member of the Craft Potters Association of Great Britain and the Northern Potters Association
The Potter
I trained in Contemporary Art Practice and Printmaking at Leith School of Art in Edinburgh. My work there mostly centred upon environmental issues, especially the problem of plastics in the oceans and the impact of wind farms on upland areas.
Having dabbled with clay at LSA, I subsequently took pottery classes at the Poldrate Arts and Crafts Centre in Haddington, East Lothian. Clay quickly became my preferred medium (I just love it!) and I set up a pottery at my home in the Scottish Borders.
Having moved to Romaldkirk in Upper Teesdale in November 2020, I re-established my ceramics practice in a building in the garden of our home. I also continue printmaking when my addiction to clay allows the time!
Artist’s statement:
My work builds upon the British studio pottery tradition established by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada in St Ives in the 1920s, which itself drew upon the ancient skills of Japanese potters. I like to give a contemporary ‘Scandi’ feel to my pots, most often hand building simple forms and using muted glazes. I take inspiration from the sheltered valleys and rugged moorlands of Upper Teesdale, collecting natural materials and sketching when I am out walking. I aim, above all else, to allow the beauty and texture of the clay itself to find a voice in my work.
I use these same principles and sources of inspiration when printmaking. I utilise monoprint, collagraph, linocut and screenprinting techniques to produce handmade cards and artwork.
The Pottery
Raintree Pottery is a light, spacious building equipped with a Rohde Ecotop 60S kiln, an electric pottery wheel and a gas-fired Raku kiln for use outdoors. There is also an excellent range of hand tools.
I keep a good selection of clays with different properties (I can never resist trying a new clay!), but my favourites are undoubtedly David Wright Handbuiding, Ashraf Hanna and Lavafleck clays.
I use paint on glazes, which I make myself or purchase from renowned glaze manufacturers such as Amaco and Spectrum. I find Shino glazes particularly appealing, especially used on stamped or worked clay, where the textured surface encourages the glaze to break into different hues. I also achieve wonderful, albeit capricious, effects from the skilful layering of glazes on flat clay surfaces.
The Place
Raintree Pottery is in Romaldkirk, an exceptionally picturesque and ancient village within the heart of Upper Teesdale. The waters of the upper River Tees rush spectacularly through a lush wooded valley close to the village, whilst the open moorland of the North Pennines surrounds the dale on all sides. It is a landscape of contrasts and great beauty, accessible for walkers via the Teesdale Way, the Tees Valley Railway Path and the great Pennine Way itself. The North Pennines are one of England’s last wildernesses and, whilst attracting visitors, the area is remote and relatively sparsely populated; it is the domain of hill farmers and those who choose to Iive in out-of-the-way places. The North Pennines are designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a UNESCO Global Geopark.
The special ecosystems of such a landscape support a range of very special plants and animals which, combined with the weather, stunning scenery and dark night skies, lend inspiration to artists and potters alike!
The Purpose
Online shop
A selection of my ceramics are for sale on this website. It is just a small selection of the stock held at Raintree Pottery. Please visit my Gallery and Shop. I also sell my work at ceramics fairs, art and craft events and through local art shops.
Want to get creative?
If you have been bitten by the ‘Great Pottery Throw Down’ bug and would like to learn to make pots, why not find out about the tuition sessions I offer at Raintree Pottery and occasional larger workshop events? Please visit the Courses page to find out more.
