Wood Fired Ceramics

Linda Unsworth

A potter based in Pembrokeshire, Wales

Originally from Prague, I now work from my home studio in Pembrokeshire. 

 

I am a self-taught potter but received lots of support from my potter friends, especially Joe Finch, who helped me to build my kiln and Robin Dale Thomas, who has been a great inspiration and let me use his studio before I set up mine. I attended a course with Akiko Hirai at the Clay College, Stoke on Trent in 2019.

 

My work is inspired by my natural surroundings and often includes materials collected locally which creates a sense of belonging. I think of making pottery as a form of meditation when hands centre the clay and the clay centres the mind.

 

My other influences are traditional Oriental pottery in its simple timeless form.

 

I throw pots on a momentum wheel, powered only by foot. I like its tranquility, natural rhythm and the slower speed. 

 

For decoration I layer slips, create patterns with stamps or carve into the pot surface. My glazes usually consist of wood ash, clay and stone. I also like to leave some clay bare to show the warm colours created by the path of flame.

 

I fire my pots in a wood fired down draft kiln based on Joe Finch's design. The firing usually takes around 15 hours after an initial pre-warming the night before.