Sarah Sullivan

I am a potter working from my studio at home in Penryn, South Cornwall.
I make batches of stoneware vessels, sometimes thrown – with a smooth clay, and sometimes coil built – with a grogged clay. These are individually hand carved. A slow, rhythmic process that is endlessly satisfying. The result is a unique and extremely tactile vessel that looks and feels both modern and ancient.
I make thrown cups, bowls, jugs and coil built vessels and figures. The majority of my work is hand carved using a small stripping tool, creating curves and pattern and making the pieces so satisfying to handle and use. They are mindfully made and beautifully tactile.
The pots are finished in a dolomite glaze and a combination of slips and glazes, of a colour palette that reflects the local beach where I swim year-round.
I am influenced by ancient pottery vessels, studio pottery pioneers, contemporary throwers, through to Japanese and Scandinavian clean lines of design. I love modern wood carving, sculpture and vessels.
The carved lines in my pots are representative of the tidal lines, sand and rocks on the Cornish beaches, the geology of the landscape and the history of mark making in clay.
The Serenity figures I make are trying to capture an essence of peacefulness, calm and serenity. Eyes closed. Quiet, simple, forms built with coils of clay. Coiling is a slow and mindful process that allows the figures to emerge with time.
As the face is formed, each pinch or push or sweep of my fingers changes the character of the figure. They evolve and emerge.
Many of the heads I am presently making are part of a ‘Bathers’ or ‘Swimmer’ series. Sea swimming/wild swimming is a past time practiced by many cultures over many years.