Anna Lambert
I use demonstration, handouts and practical help to take students through a series of steps in the making of a group of pieces. Each step involves a different technique or skill. More able students will be encouraged to use the techniques within their own designs while less confident students and beginners will be guided towards simpler designs .
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?There will be emphasis on developing skill in use of hand tools, the working of leather hard clay and relief modelling. By the end of the weekend students will understand the possibilities of the particular type of handbuilding at which I am expert and be able to use their new skills to develop their own pieces.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?Basic hand building techniques – rolling slabs and coils, pinching, slab-coiling, assembling soft and leather hard components, surface texture, modelling. B. The working of leather hard clay by scraping back and fettling. C. Relief modelling onto leather hard clay and modelling of knobs and handles in the form of objects, particularly natural forms
What inspires your own work?Over 30 years my work has developed as a result of looking at many things – gardens, beaches, changing colour in landscape, ceramics and other applied arts from Roman, through medieval and the 18th century to folk art and contemporary crafts. I am presently particularly interested in hedgerows, field shapes and baroque handles.
Where did you gain your training?
B.A. 3-D Design(Ceramics) Bath Academy of Art (Corsham) 1980
Teaching experience:I have been a full time maker since 1980 and have not taught on a regular basis.
Part time teaching includes:
90 CPA Top class, Derby. 4 day course; Hand building Oct 91 – June 92
Bradford and Ilkley Community College BTEC Ceramics Oct 93 – March 94
Derby College BTEC Ceramics 94, 95, 98
Visiting lecturer Forest of Dean College BTEC Ceramics 97, 98
Bradford Girls Grammar School Short course Ceramics 97
Midland Potters 4 day course; Hand building.
Many private collections.
Public collections include:
Salisbury Art Gallery
Southampton Art Gallery
Cleveland Craft Centre, Middlesborough
Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead Townley Hall, Burnley, Lancs
Pinchen Collection, City Museum and Art Gallery, Hanley, Stoke on Trent
I am included in various books including:
Sculptural Ceramics by Ian Gregory
Potters Directory of Shape and Form by Neal French
The Complete Potters Companion by Tony Birks
The Guardian Weekend: feature 14.12.96
Ceramic Review no 145, Jan 94
Ceramic Review no 169, Jan 98
Colour in Clay by Jane Waller
Coiling by Betty Blandino
Setting Up a Pottery Workshop by Alaistair Young
The Potters Guide to Ceramic Surfaces by Jo Connell
The Complete Practical Potter by Josie Warshaw
The Art of Handbuilt Ceramics by Susan Bruce
Animals in Clay by Michael Flynn
Pots in the Kitchen by Josie Walter
Practical Poultry magazine Dec 05 'Poultry Potter' by Diane Janes CPA Newsletter Oct 06 'Getting Started'
Craft Potters Association : Fellow