Jane Jermyn

Ceramicist

In the language of clay

Jane has travelled extensively to develop her craft
Her work is distinguished by texture and form
Nature is her constant muse

Jane Jermyn began studying ceramics in her forties. She had always wanted to work with the material but started her artistic pathway in textiles. Her work today is organic and heavily textured, drawing inspiration from the natural world. Jane uses experimental techniques and multiple firings to build up surfaces which are reminiscent of the elements in nature, often echoing geological formations. Creative and cultural exchange are a cornerstone of her practice and she has taken part in symposia, residencies and workshops across the world, including in Siberia, Cuba, Japan, South Korea, Europe, South Africa, Australia and many times in India. Jane embraces how clay allows her to connect with others who speak "different ‘dialects’ of the same language – clay."

Interview

©Rosalind Ledingham

What is special about working with clay?: I love that clay is such an elemental material. The whole process of creating with clay is very rooted in the elements. Bringing together earth, water, air and fire to transform such a basic material into objects of use and beauty is very special.
Do you spend a lot of time outdoors researching?: Yes, I love being in nature. I take hundreds of images, often close-ups of textures and decay. But I also research images of items under the microscope online. It is interesting how patterns in nature repeat themselves, how the macro and micro often echo each other.
Do you use any particular techniques in crafting your ceramics?: Do you use any particular techniques in crafting your ceramics?I use a number of hand-building methods, often combining different techniques in one piece. I work mainly with coiling, pinching and using small slabs of clay. I am not a purist, I am trying to communicate something and use what techniques I need at a particular time.
What was a memorable moment in your working life?: It is very hard to pick one particular moment as memorable. Clay has created so many amazing experiences for me over the years. My first ever solo exhibition being a sell-out, that is something I will never forget.

Jane Jermyn is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1998