Jane Staniland

2026 – Taking part in Potfest Southwest- Shaftesbury

The ceramic vessel tells the history of human life. I believe that the need to make is a basic instinct. Sorting out materials and figuring out thoughts through drawings is what I do. I delight in the process of making pots. I left Camberwell School of Art in Craft where I studied Ceramics in 1986, then worked on my own pots in London. At that time I was mostly inspired by Angus Suttie and Alison Britton. I exhibited widely in the UK and overseas. While raising my children in Wiltshire I became an Art teacher focussing especially on ceramics.

In 2021 I took a leap of faith to finally set up my own workshop at home and am now fully creating my own ceramics again. In my earlier ceramics practice I mostly worked with thin slabs in earthenware, but while teaching I became obsessed with the slow process of coil building and pinch pot making. I was becoming over helpful, so now in this new work I am enjoying coiling and pinching. I fire stoneware for more sturdy and practical pieces that I can go to town on painting with slips, oxides and glazes.

My Pots are one-off pieces inspired by nature, moving figures and feelings. This is all supported by my drawings and the total joy and sense of freedom I get from making pots. The planters are frostproof with drainage holes. Every pot is different however there are themes which make them work well in groups and collections.

janestaniland.com

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