Terri Smart

I took up ceramics in 1990 when I was working as an architect in Hong Kong. The feel of the clay and my delight in making a structured piece out of a formless lump became more and more important in my life as I became familiar with the medium.

I am influenced by natural elements such as wind and water and I like to emphasise the contrasts between nature and man, for example in my boat pieces where the size of the boat indicates just how puny we are compared to the vastness of the sea. I work from my studio at home in East Clandon, with views over the garden and surrounding fields which are a constant source of inspiration for my seed pod forms and of course any birds that happen to visit.

Most of my work is hand-built in textured stoneware clays, and decorated with coloured slips, oxides and glazes before firing to 1260C.

I am a member of Surrey Sculpture Society and Wey Ceramics Society, and part of the Artshed cooperative at the Medicine Garden in Cobham.