Q&A with @nicolagillis
With the arrival of a new group of Nicola’s beautiful functional tableware for our EveryDay show we’ve taken the opportunity to talk to her about being a potter and the work she makes from her garden studio in Brighton.
To read for the full conversation with Nicola visit our website but here is a taster…..
Could you tell us a bit about what you make and why you focus on functional ware ?
I have chosen to focus my practice upon tableware. The idea of making pottery for our simple everyday rituals, a cup of tea or coffee, or the sharing of a meal with loved ones, comes from my love of food, and food sharing occasions that stem from my childhood. Picnics and flasks of tea on long journeys, perching on the boot of the car, or sitting on one of those old checked blankets with the odd cub or brownie badge sewn in the corner. Or my father making us pancakes on a Sunday, and fresh home-made burgers on Saturday. It was a way to access warmth and togetherness with family and I hope to evoke those feelings when you use one of my pieces.
Nicola’s new collection is available in the gallery with a selection also on our online shop.
Also seen @chungtyson STAND
@rubykitedesign wrap
Large dinner plates. The weather has not been helping with making and getting these dried. Relying on the heat of the kiln to warm the studio otherwise it’s a very slow and sometimes impossible process working with cold, wet and sticky clay.
Heading to @yspshops . This is the one we choose for almost every meal in my house. Versatile from breakfast through to supper. A joy to cup in your hands, stand, sit or serve from.
I’ve spent some valuable time in the studio the last few weeks, getting to know some new styles and revisiting some old favourites. Each mug serves a different purpose for me, depending on what I’m drinking. This is just some of the new work coming to my web shop shortly. Sign up to my newsletter for first dibs (link in bio). I will also be taking work to @silver_spur_makersmarket on the 27th April if you’re near to Brighton. Would love to meet and chat to any of you so please pop along to that.
New kurinuki mugs. Carved from one piece of clay over several days, I hope that the love and care that I put into making these comes across in the final piece. They feel strong and comforting, and make the perfect coffee cup. My hope is that using something handmade, especially something that takes so long to make feels special and therefore makes the moment of using it special too. These little moments can punctuate what might otherwise feel like the going through the motions of our everyday lives.
Been beavering away in the studio over the last few days. Preparing orders and getting ready for upcoming events and my web shop sale. I haven’t quite worked out the exact art of making enough work to fill the kiln yet, so I threw these new bottles the other day, thinking oil bottle/posy vase/milk bottle potential. They are quick to dry and have filled my kiln perfectly. Hope you’re all having a good start to the week.
Well I can’t rely on the sun, but these are bringing me much joy. Fresh from the kiln. A couple more firings of goodies to come and then they will be added to my web shop.
If you want to hear first when my web shop opens, please sign up to my mailing list (link in bio).
I’m delighted to be sending some new work to the Bluecoat Display Centre in Liverpool, as part of their ‘Everyday’ exhibition, which runs until 20th April. Using handmade pieces to enhance our everyday rituals is central to why I make pottery. Hope you love these new tea bowls I have made.
@bluecoatdisplaycentre