Ruth Readman
Ruth’s work is inspired by the ever changing landscape of the Jurassic Coast. In particular, the area known as the Purbecks, where time is etched into every surface of the landscape with new layers being slowly revealed by weather and tides, season after season. Ruth produces both functional and decorative ceramics which are designed to evoke a sense of place. The raku bowls are made as pinch pots with perlite added to the grogged terracotta body to encourage fracturing, both on the surface and the rim, reminiscent of the soft mud fossils and strata found along the coast. Surface decoration is then built up in spontaneous layers of underglazes and glazes before being fired. It is not unusual for pieces to go through the raku process several times until the layering, crazing and smoking all work together in harmony. The bowls are often made in series of no more than ten. Ruth’s functional ware or ‘fossilware’ is all produced using slabs of clay. The clay is either rolled by hand or extruded before being manipulated into shape. From this point, the piece is either left to speak for itself with a soft crystalline glaze or decorated with layers of porcelain slip to create land and seascapes.
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: ruthreadmanceramics.com