Helen Hargreaves

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I studied at Harrow under Mick Casson during an exciting period of ceramic development (1969 –71). At that time, Walter Keeler, Mo Jupp, Colin Pearson, Ian Godfrey and others were also lecturers on the course. Later, I spent time working with David Eeles and then with Danny Killick.

After that I set up my own workshop in Oxshott, Surrey. It had been Helen Pincombe’s and she left me her monster gas kiln. When I came to grips with this challenge, I made domestic thrown ware, selling mostly at fairs. At the same time I taught part-time at Richmond Adult College.

Then I decided to travel to India for a complete change, spending three years there absorbing the beauty of the temples and other ancient architecture. I also saw beauty in the simplest of ceramics, in particular the small earthenware cups in which tea was served on the railways. They were intended for use just once but I found it hard to throw them away.

I was not satisfied with making thrown ware after these experiences. I needed a complete change and for a time worked with stained glass. Although it was in a way magical in its properties, I found it unforgiving to work with. After a time, I came back to my first love - clay - but found that the relationship had changed! I wanted to work unconstrained by the disciplines of throwing and began to explore the possibilities of hand-building individual pieces. I now had the opportunity to pursue many of the ideas and inspirations I have gathered over the years and on my travels.

I like to introduce an unexpected element in my work, sometimes by mixing the spiritual with the bizarre. Each piece I make suggests some further possibility. This could just go on and on...