Northern Potters Association

The aim of the NPA is to encourage and support artists in the production of sculptural, functional, fine art and decorative studio pottery in all its forms throughout the North of England

Cole, Julie

I developed a love of clay as an extra-curricular part of my Fine Art degree. My painting and photography feeds into elements of my ceramics, as decoration on plates and tiles etc. but what I love about ceramics is that it frees me from my natural inclination to paint with realism. So my work on the surface is still accurately drawn, but I can be free with my sculptures and make them more abstract.

So my horses and other natural forms are simplified to pure shapes that are tactile when burnished or glazed, and I don’t feel the need to paint them realistically as the glazes and smoking techniques bring a welcome element of surprise and movement. I am interested in the spirit of the animal. My smaller animal sculptures are made to feel comfortable in a handhold and my larger sculptures have a sense of freedom.

I am also interested in forms that can combine with plants in a creative and cohesive way.