Grace Birkett Kenrick






About

What I love most about ceramics is the challenge of finding the balance of form and function to create a beautiful object that's fit for purpose, giving it a life of its own and the power to bring sensual pleasure to everyday moments in the life of its user. I use texture and mark-making, slips, and glazes to create complex surfaces that want to be touched.


I am now based in London after 8 years of living abroad and working as a teacher in Spain and Italy. I discovered ceramics 5 years ago, whilst living in Barcelona, where I began an apprenticeship with traditional earthenware potter Mario Leal. I never looked back and continued to study pottery in Granada and Tuscany before returning to my hometown with plans to finally set up my own studio.


Education is a big part of my philosophy as a potter, I enjoy teaching as much as I enjoy learning more every day about this age-old craft. Recently I have found it particularly exciting firing with wood and introducing local clay slips and ash glazes into my work. For me, materials and firing processes are key as I strive to find a balance between earthy strength and fragility in my pots.

Recent works

sHINO BOTTLES

ASH GLAZE

I make functional pots with tactile surfaces through which materials and firing processes can sing without interference.


WILD CLAY

How I Work

I work predominantly on the potters wheel to form my pots, using stoneware clays, wild clay slips and my own glazes formulated from non toxic materials.


I am familiar with and use a variety of firing techniques, including gas reduction, wood firing, soda firing, smoke and pit firing as well as electric kilns.

Education and training

  • Jan-March 2022 - 'On Centre' 3-month Intensive Training at La Meridiana, International School of Ceramics, Tuscany, Italy. Developing advanced skills in making wheel thrown, functional stoneware pottery, and firing using gas and wood.


  • Feb-March 2020 - Work Experience with ceramic artist Esperanza Romero, assisting on Raku firings and with slip casting and glazing, preparing works for Ceramic Arts London.


  • 2018-2020 – 2 Years full-time Vocational qualification (´Ciclo Formativo de Grado Superior)´ in Artistic Ceramics at Escuela de Arte de Granada, Spain.


  • 2017-2018 Potter's apprentice to Mario Leal, Barcelona. Traditional Catalan earthenware potter, I began my training on the potter's wheel, assisting in the studio and shop.


  • 2010-2014 - I studied BA in English Literature at the University of Sussex, graduating with a 1st.

workshops teaching and events

  • 2019- Present – Small batch ceramic production and commissions.
  • Present - Throwing teacher and Studio Technician at Urban Potters Studio in Camberwell and ClayDays Pottery in Beckenham.
  • August 2022 - Host and organiser of Artists and Makers Showcase and Sale in SW London.
  • May 2022 - Bilingual ceramic workshop in collaboration with Alcari Kraft in Mallorca using foraged wild clays from the island.
  • 2021 - Private pottery tutor in Grosseto Italy, teaching wheel throwing and hand building to adults.
  • 2018-2020 - work placement at Los Angeles Infant Education Centre, Granada, facilitating after-school sessions with children aged 4-12years, Learning English through Art, with a special focus on working with clay.
  • 2018 - Planning and running pottery workshop at The Palace Artists Residency in Poland, with large groups of adults, Pit firing of students' work at the end of a 7-day residency and festival.


Work for sale at Artists and Makers Showcase. Photo by Sophie le Roux

Workshop in Mallorca

Get in touch

For Workshops, private classes, commissions, and any other queries, I'd love to hear from you!

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gracekenrick@gmail.com