Gail Cooper

A self-taught ceramicist, I work from my garden studio in Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes, creating both wheel thrown functional tableware, vases and display pieces using locally produced St Agnes clay, sourced from less than a mile away.

I began exploring wheel-thrown ceramics in March 2022, inspired by the rugged landscape of the North Cornish coast and Trevaunance Cove. My work focuses on creating minimal forms that reflect the natural beauty of my surroundings. The engine houses and chimney stacks around the cove, with their straight lines tapering up, are a reminder of Cornwall’s mining heritage, while the weathered pebbles scattered on the beach shape my aesthetic.

All my functional pieces are finished in my satin matte glazes that reflect the natural colours of St Agnes, drawing from the North Cornish Sea, seaweeds, ferns, granite, and slate.

Beyond traditional glazing, my ceramic journey has also led me to explore alternative firing and decorative techniques, particularly working with porcelain and saggar firing in an electric kiln. Using this technique, I place ceramics in a wheel-thrown saggar filled with locally foraged combustible materials, such as Cornish elm, seaweeds from Trevaunance Cove, and oxides. During firing, these materials ignite, creating unique patinas and evoking landscapes of land and sea.

The finished pieces are sealed with liquid quartz, an innovative and environmentally friendly product that preserves the natural colours and creates a watertight, satin matte finish. This allows the pieces to be both decorative and functional, suitable for holding water for fresh-cut flowers—unlike many traditionally sealed ceramics.

Through these methods, I strive to create a conscious collection that celebrates the beauty and sustainability of local materials while offering an alternative to traditional glazing.