I have always loved porcelain, especially oriental ceramics, and wanted to explore the apparent mystery of how they were made. After a 3-year course at Oxford City College I set up my own studio at home in Oxford.
I throw my vessels on the wheel. I make with porcelain, for its delicacy and strength, and the pure surface it offers for a glaze. My pieces are thrown thinly, with an attention to every detail, in pursuit of balance and harmony. Surface decoration is minimal – an incised line on a foot or a rim, or slip marks round the swell of a moon jar. My work can be both functional and decorative.
I relish exploring a palette of serene glaze colours and textures, a variety of surfaces to complement the restrained forms. This is an ongoing process; I find the thrill of experiment and discovery one of the greatest rewards in making.
I enjoy the way pots look when grouped together, the shapes and shadows between the forms, and the relationship between their colours and textures. I also enjoy how a good pot feels when weighed in the hand, that sense of balance that tells you when it’s right.
Email: robyn.hardyman@btinternet.com