BRISTOL LIVES
“I actually hate the feel of dry clay on my hands – ironic? ” crows. y style is much more clean and stylised now, but think you can still see the same kind of characters as there were in my degree show work. am still very proud of my peacocks I look at all sorts of areas for inspiration. love mid-century
HANNAH TURNER Her ever so slightly retro ceramics have made Hannah one of the most successful makers in Bristol; after all, nobody can resist a canine salt-and- pepper set, right? Even if you don’t recognise the name (though you probably do), we bet you’ll recognise Hannah’s ceramic bestiary of perky, funny, cute (but never twee) birds and animals. It all began with a sell-out art degree show at UWE; Hannah promptly took orders to make more of the designs sold in the show, found herself a local studio, and the business was born. In 1992 I was awarded a grant to buy my first kiln. continued
creating sculptural creatures, mostly birds, sometimes fish; even wall-mounted moose heads Humour has always been evident in my work, and
probably helped me ride the storm of two recessions. gradually got my ceramics on display in
galleries and shops, and gained loyal collectors along the way. I took a break in 1999 to have children, then started working
part-time. also decided to change the way worked, and started slip-casting; after much experimenting, oined forces with a small, family-run pottery in ri anka, and launched my first ranges of tableware in 11.
Using slipcasting and moulds
has enabled me to outsource production, so am now able to do the initial designs and prototypes here, but don t have to worry about making all the pieces and can focus much more on new product development.
My degree show was inspired by taxidermy, and among the
favourites were the little black
90 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
ceramics for their surface pattern and form, especially idwinter. also look at textiles, and lots of different printmakers. I’ve recently re-joined Spike Island printmakers, doing some
can, and also offset what we do by tree planting. We don t use plastics in our packaging, except for the odd bit of recycled bubble-wrap; all of our boxes are made from recycled card.
screenprinting, and working in that way helps me solve problems when doing new artwork to go on my ceramics.
Bristol is where I trained and started my business; it s a city that really nurtures creatives.
I have a Jack Russell called Betty who features on my new
I live on Dongola Road, Bishopston. work in a studio in
arklife dog-themed tableware and is also the inspiration for my new cruffy og salt and peppers.
My most exciting career moment was the day had an
order from iberty; nthropolgie ordering from me was another very proud moment, as was seeing my designs on s The Great Pottery Throwdown. was asked to supply a peacock coffee breakfast set; this was a challenge as they wanted a toast rack and coffee pot, neither of which we make. o our brilliant ri ankan pottery made some one-off samples for me, which decorated here and sent to the production company. We are doing everything we can to make the business sustainable. We have stopped
ying, and are trying to limit our carbon produced as much as we
my back garden, so have an easy commute. his neighbourhood has everything need, to the extent that sometimes don t leave the area for days at a time.
My most regrettable habit?
ra y schemes; get very faddy and bore people to tears with my latest obsessions. I listen to Radio 4, as prefer background voices to music at work, and get to learn things at the same time. Immediately after answering these questions, ll be finishing
modelling a penguin egg cup. actually have clay on my hands that s now all over this keyboard. actually hate the feel of dried clay on my hands ironic
For more www.hannahturner.co.uk
