Mary Johnson Ceramics

Mary Johnson makes slip decorated earthenware ceramics at her studio in Derbyshire.

This hand-made pottery uses traditional craft skills, applied in contemporary and unusual ways.

Mary Johnson studied Craft at the University of Derby in 2009 and an Ma in Studio Ceramics at the university of Loughborough in 2014. On graduating she set up a studio in Derby and started to work as a ceramic artist.

A member of the Design Factory and the Northern Potters Association. Mary's work is exhibited at ceramics and craft shows around the country and at selected galleries.

About the process:

All of the pottery is made using red earthenware clay and traditional craft methods. Most of the work is thrown on the potters  wheel and decorate using coloured slips and glaze. Sometimes materials are added to vary the texture. It may then be torn or broken and reassembled to make contemporary vessels created or recycled from pieces.

The images, colours and textures are based on drawings made in the garden or allotment.

Using a love of traditional slip decorated and county pottery to comment on our contemporary relationship with the environment. Red clay represents a need to connect with the earth and our long history of  care,use and misuse. These pots create an honest picture of this relationship, both good and bad.
Standing up for earwigs and brussels sprouts, rusting wheelbarrows and decay, as integral parts of the landscape.

Without them life would be infinitely dull and sterile.