Jennifer Hall Studied at Cardiff Institute of Higher Education under the guidance of Michael Casson, Peter Starkey and Geoffrey Swindell. It was whilst doing her BA Degree at Cardiff that she discovered a passion for throwing functional earthenware pottery.
After graduating in 1994 she gained employment at Gwili Pottery in Carmarthenshire. She worked there as a thrower and decorator for two years before moving to Buckinghamshire to set up her own pottery in 1997.
Jennifer now produces a wide range of pieces using red earthenware clay decorated with a combination of slips which are dipped, trailed and sgraffitoed. These processes provide a surface that displays the richness and fluidity of the honey and green non-toxic lead glazes. The forms of the pots are inspired by their function and the making process itself. Elements from vessels of clay and metal both ancient and modern also influence the shapes of the objects.
Jennifer Hall Inspirations
“For me the function of a pot determines its form. Vessels of glass, metal and clay both ancient and modern designed for a similar use, are observed for inspiration.
The materials and processes themselves then combine to influence the piece. The decorative slipware techniques I have adopted from potters past and present are applied according to the form and in turn the form is created with the decoration in mind.
Further inspiration comes from a collection of images and vibes from natural and man-made environments that appeal to me. These I hoard in the form of sketches and photographs and more often in my subconscious.”
