Our New Guest Maker - Jan Beeny

Our guest maker in the shop this August is ceramicist Jan Beeny.

Jan moved to Wales in 1983 to study ceramics in Cardiff, gaining an MA in Ceramics.  She began working at an urban city farm as an illustrator.

Jan's ceramic work has always been informed and inspired by the natural world, especially the flora and fauna of the British Isles.  Jan is interested in the relationship between human and non-human animals, in particular how artists, craftspeople, designers and writers choose to describe and work with the subject.  

Jan will often refer to graphic depictions of her subject such as those found in historical textiles, stained glass, architectural carvings and printed illustrations, drawing upon the rich history of traditional stories and folktales.  

All the animals are one-off ceramic pieces fired to mid-earthenware temperatures.  She creates sprig moulds to add surface detail.  The work is finished with oxides, sometimes slips and a glaze.

Jan is a member of the Makers Guild Wales.