Northern Potters Association

The aim of the NPA is to encourage and support artists in the production of sculptural, functional, fine art and decorative studio pottery in all its forms throughout the North of England

Kendra, Carrie

 

Carrie completed her degree in ceramics at The University of Westminster, Harrow, over 20 years ago. Post-degree life went in a different direction and after several years of building up a workshop in her Peak District garden, a combination of a move to rural Lincolnshire with a studio cottage, and two children both in full-time education have made it possible to begin the process of sliding from hobby potter to ‘professional ceramic artist’.

In forming functional ware from slabs of porcelain white stoneware Carrie strives to find a balance between ‘perfection’, and the wonderful imperfections of hand-built pieces. She thrives on the challenge of finding her own way of making functional pieces, using a mix of handmade molds, bisque thrown forms, and foraged household items such as antique tools, kitchen implements, and terracotta plant pots, as well as her hands, to turn the sheets of clay into delicate 3D pieces. The functionality and durability of a piece always underpins her work, and although aesthetics are important, how something feels in the hand and to use is vital. For handles, Carrie impresses strips of clay with her own hands to leave the organic and bone-like negative space of a closed fist. This creates shapes that are pleasing to the eye and practical in structure to hold onto, whilst the body of pieces is soft unbroken curves, with time spent on sanding the unglazed undersides until sea pebble smooth.

Her pieces are decorated with bright underglaze patterns which contrast the white canvas of the porcelain stoneware. She likes to explore different ways to apply these patterns, experimenting with bubble glazing, trailing, spattering, and sponge printing.

Carrie aims to create everyday functional art forms which are elegant, tactile, and beautifully crafted.