Masterclass with Jo Taylor

My ceramic journey began in 1991 when I signed up for Kevin de Choisy’s evening throwing classes at Bower Ashton in Bristol. Happy for many years as a ‘hobby potter’ alongside my career as an administrator, then a police officer, the desire to know more about ceramics culminated in a part-time degree at Bath Spa University in 2000. 

Graduating in 2005, I changed careers completely and started making functional ware and teaching ceramics. I returned to Bath Spa University to push the making further, graduating from the Master’s Degree with distinction in 2012. During the MA, I began to explore sculptural possibilities and the mixing of techniques, which I continue to develop in my small home studio in Wiltshire. 

My work has been exhibited at Bath Abbey, The Holburne Museum, Tate Liverpool, Kasteel D’Ursel (Belgium), and several times at Collect, most recently with Vessel Gallery at Somerset House in February 2020. My career highlights so far include demonstrating at the International Ceramics Festival in Aberystwyth in 2015 and being commissioned by the television channel ITV to interpret their logo as sculpture for an ident that was broadcast nationally in November 2019, as part of the ITV Creates project.

Every work I make is unique; the freedom to change and challenge is important. There are failures but problem-solving is a regular part of the ceramic process. I find inspiration in architectural themes – both structure and decorative elements such as plaster ceilings.