Body Vessel Clay. A conversation with Dr Jareh Das

After years of making in a rather isolated manner, one of the things I am enjoying the most about this new ‘phase’ in my ceramics journey is all the amazing women I am meeting; all the conversations and thoughts that we are sharing, having clay as the starting point.

As part of an Instagram takeover I did for Crafts Council in January 2022, I interview Dr Jareh Das, the curator behind ‘Body Vessel Clay: Black Women, Ceramics & Contemporary Art’ - Two Temple Place’s 10th annual exhibition.

This show is so much more that a ceramics exhibition. It is a stepping point in the history of British ceramics and the review of Britain’s colonial past. The boundaries between concept such as art and craft; container vessel and sculpture, blur. And traditional views on what matrilineal lineage means and how knowledge is acquired and shared are challenged and expanded.

I was invited - and challenged! - to make a body of work that represented the research I have been doing on African women potters, mainly late Ivory Coast potter Kouame Kakaha. A collection that responded to Ladi Kwali and Magdalene Odundo’s work - both ultimate sheroes with whom my pieces now share space.

And challenging it has been. But also fun, expansive and inspiring. A turning point in my career too.

Here I leave you the conversation Jareh and I shared. Another insight into the thinking behind my current work and the exhibition as a whole.

Enjoy!