Help preserve our future
West Dean is part of a registered charity and relies on the support of generous donors, friends, legacies to help us deliver world-class education in conservation and the creative arts and maintain our award-winning gardens.
Susan Halls
Susan intended to study illustration, but beguiled by the art school's ceramics department she jumped ship and has never looked back. After two years studying for her MA she established her London studios, moving to the USA in 1998 where she continues to teach and make sculpture.
She has taught widely throughout the UK at many art schools and colleges, including Central School of Art, Royal College of Art and Manchester Metropolitan University. Workshops include International Ceramics Centre Hungary, Clay Art Center, NY USA, Penland School of Crafts, NC USA and York City Art Gallery
Susan has work in public and private collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum. International Ceramics Studio Hungary. York City Art Gallery. Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge. Shigaraki Ceramics Centre, Japan
She has written two books - Ceramics for Beginners, Animals and Figures (Lark Books). Pinch Pottery, Modern, Functional, Handbuilding. (Lark Publishing).
I hope my enthusiasm for subject and material inspires my students. Classes are rich with demonstrations and discussions in an attempt to demystify the often formidable task of animal sculpting.
My work is inspired by all things animal - their appearance, movement, behaviour- even their smell moves. I strive to make sculpture that captures something of an animal truth.