A Tribute to Anne James
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the recent death of Anne James.
Anne James was a distinguished ceramicist, a Life Member of the Gloucestershire Guild, and a longstanding Fellow of the Craft Potters Association of Great Britain. Anne is pictured here, with her brother, visiting our show at Rodmarton in 2023.
Two fellow ceramicists and members of the Guild share their reflections with us, illuminating the lasting impact Anne had on our community. Anne will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of ceramicists.
Annie Hewett writes 'I was so sad to hear of Anne James’s recent death.I met Anne in the 80’s when we both taught at Stroud Art School in Lansdown. I was teaching painting and drawing and I used to creep in at the back of her slide shows in the basement pottery to marvel at her extensive knowledge. 20 years later, when I started making pots myself, I was very happy to receive help and advice from her as I tried to master working with clay. She shared her experience of many years with generosity and I still follow her wise words now.
Anne was a long-time member and supporter of the Guild and was a regular visitor to the shop when it had its base in Painswick, always taking part in the Summer Show, which in those days was a major event lasting several weeks.
As a perfectionist, her work was of the very highest standard and she made complex processes appear effortless.
Never one to sit back and retire, she was working with fresh ideas and materials until fairly recently.
She will be missed.'
Toff Milway writes 'It is very sad to think that with Anne’s passing we will see no more new work from those careful hands. Anne James’s craftsmanship has never been in question. The exquisite crafting of the very refined forms that Anne worked on over the years have been admired by all of us who have seen them; whether made in porcelain, raku or more recently in coloured stoneware, all were a delight. Potters and collectors alike have admired her achievement.
Anne had an ability to clearly show the characteristics of all the materials she used and an attention to detail second to none. The gracefulness of her forms and the subtlety of her choice of colour and texture have surely been a true reflection of the person who made them.
Anne’s was a calm and considered voice in the Guild but she was always keen to get stuck in and help whatever was afoot; she will be greatly missed and especially by those of us who knew her for so long.'