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About
I studied at Brighton University, graduating in 1997 with a first class degree in Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastics. For the first part of my career I worked with UK manufacturers designing ceramic homewares, together with fellow graduate Andrew Tanner under our company name HUB, supplying retailers internationally including Harrods, Liberty and DKNY. After a career break I set up a studio at my home in Ninfield and since 2013 I have been designing and making everything myself. The move away from manufacturers has given me the freedom to explore and develop new techniques, taking manufacturing processes into a craft environment, pushing the boundaries and challenging limitation. It brings with it the possibility for creative decisions to be part of the making as well as the designing and a level of craftsmanship and experimentaion not viable for industry. I enjoy sharing my passion and knowledge through creative workshops in my studio, at local schools and at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill. My current collection of ceramics is imbued with a sense of discovery and inspired by themes of repetition, variation and erosion. I work with vitrified clay bodies; bone china, porcelain and semi-porcelain, exploring the nature of the materials and developing new making techniques. Lighting designs employ the delicate translucent qualities of bone china and porcelain. Signature dot vases originated from an experimental approach to developing a way of creating a two-dimensional pattern from a three dimensional texture. A kind of memory of their form. Coloured layers of liquid semi-porcelain clay are built up in and pared back, refined and matte polished. The work is high fired to vitrification point so that it is water-tight, the surface matte and unglazed like a well-worn pebble. Lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 have enabled more time for development and exciting new work is emerging, |
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News
June 2021
May 2021
Welcome back to workshops in my studio!
One to One (or two from the same household) workshops can be hosted in my Studio as usual.
For groups of up to 4 from different households, workshops will be outdoors (weather permitting) under sail shades on the patio area outside my studio during the summer months (May - Sept).
A fantastic excuse to get together with friends to have some creative fun together!
Visit my Workshop page for more information about the workshops on offer.
Prices start from £35pp
One to One (or two from the same household) workshops can be hosted in my Studio as usual.
For groups of up to 4 from different households, workshops will be outdoors (weather permitting) under sail shades on the patio area outside my studio during the summer months (May - Sept).
A fantastic excuse to get together with friends to have some creative fun together!
Visit my Workshop page for more information about the workshops on offer.
Prices start from £35pp
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March 2021Workshops at my studio in Ninfield will be resuming from 12th April with the easing of lockdown restrictions. One to One session (or two from the same household) can now be booked. Self directed studio space hire and firing services will also be resuming. Click here for more information on workshops and services
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I am so excited to be joining Design Nation’s portfolio of designers and becoming part of the DN community. It is especially meaningful as I remember fondly their founder Peta Levi MBE who was instrumental at the very beginning of my design career. Thank you so much for choosing me to be the recipient of this award. The timing is perfect and I’m so looking forward to the year ahead with Design Nation.
September 2020
20th March 2020
I have made the decision to cancel all planned workshops and people coming to use facilities at my studio until further notice to support the government's request that we all exercise social distancing and minimise contact to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 virus to protect the vulnerable and help the NHS cope.
I will be continuing to make work at the studio and take this extra time to develop some new ideas too. I can still take orders which can be collected from the studio doorstep or posted.
It is a difficult time for many businesses and the Crafts Council reports that makers have been hard hit with events and exhibitions cancelled, galleries and shops closing, workshops cancelled and reduced direct sales. My business’ income stream has hit all of these problems, but we will get through I’m sure.
Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones through this challenging time. Fill your time with creative adventure, walks in nature and find new ways of keeping in contact with family and friends safely.
I will be continuing to make work at the studio and take this extra time to develop some new ideas too. I can still take orders which can be collected from the studio doorstep or posted.
It is a difficult time for many businesses and the Crafts Council reports that makers have been hard hit with events and exhibitions cancelled, galleries and shops closing, workshops cancelled and reduced direct sales. My business’ income stream has hit all of these problems, but we will get through I’m sure.
Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones through this challenging time. Fill your time with creative adventure, walks in nature and find new ways of keeping in contact with family and friends safely.
November 2019
Exploring the possibilities of clay extrusion. This is an industrial manufacturing method utilised in the production of clay sewage pipes and bricks. For the craftsperson small wall-mounted extruders are used to extrude clay for coil-building and handles. I am exploring the potential of the process in making complex forms, creating variation post extrusion to produce unique works. The images below show some initial experiments with a small extruder with some promising results.
Please follow Anna's developments on Instagram: @annajthomson or Contact Anna with your email address to join our mailing list
Please follow Anna's developments on Instagram: @annajthomson or Contact Anna with your email address to join our mailing list
