About
ABOUT
From her Dartmoor studio, Alison West’s wheel-thrown ceramics blend traditional techniques with a deep respect for the natural world and a joy in the unpredictability of flame and fire.
Her long-standing practice of saggarfiring—a method where pots are fired inside protective containers (saggars) with foraged organic materials like plants and seaweed—leaves delicate smoke marks and organic imprints. This process embraces the unknown, with each piece bearing distinctive, atmospheric marks shaped by the firing.
Her forms are influenced by both classical Greek elegance and Japanese simplicity, shaped further by several years living in Japan where she absorbed an appreciation for natural materials, process, and imperfection. Central to her work is the use of terrasigillata, an ancient Greek and Roman technique that involves creating an ultra-fine clay slip by separating the smallest particles of clay. When burnished and fired, this slip produces a smooth, glossy surface without glaze. Alison refines Devon’s wild and Ball Clays to create these slips, using this historical method in a contemporary way to highlight the natural hues and textures of the local landscape. These slips are layered over Cornish clay forms, grounding each piece in place and tradition.
By combining this heritage with contemporary experimentation, Alison celebrates the novel and unexpected outcomes that arise from working with fire, clay, and nature—capturing the essence of place in every piece.
Saggar Fired Ceramic Art Vessels
Vessel decorated with wild clay terrasigillata slips on Cornish stoneware, featuring natural patterns and textures from foraged plants.
Saggar Fired Sealed Earth Tableware (Commission Only)
Wild Clay Slipware
I start by gathering wild clay from Dartmoor, which I then soak in water to fully hydrate and soften the particles. This process allows me to easily pass the clay through a fine mesh, removing any impurities like roots or leaves. After sieving, I further refine the clay into a silky, fine slip known as terrasigillata. This slip is sprayed and layered onto the piece, creating a smooth, glossy finish that enhances the natural beauty of Dartmoor's clay. To complete the process, I apply an opaque white glaze, which beautifully brings out the rich tones of the terra sigillata beneath.
Wild Clay Terrasigillatas
My ceramics practice begins in the landscape itself, where I carefully collect wild clays from the rich soils of Devon—gathered from riverbanks, hedgerows, and moorland. These clays, full of natural minerals and character, form the very foundation of my work.
Once collected, the clays undergo a meticulous process of cleaning, refining, and sieving to remove impurities. I then prepare terra sigillatas—ultra-fine clay slips—that are applied to the surface of my pieces to create a delicate, smooth sheen. This ancient technique enhances the natural colors and textures of the local clays, adding depth and subtle luminosity to each vessel.
The challenges presented by the wheel drive me to constantly refine my technique and explore new possibilities. Living in a traditional pottery region for many years in Japan ignited my curiosity for ceramics and inspired me to delve deeper into the medium. Upon returning to the UK, I had the privilege of training with the renowned Raku potter Bruce Chivers, which enriched my knowledge and skills significantly.
The allure of the potter's wheel and the physicality involved in throwing captivate me. The tactile experience of shaping clay on the wheel is both invigorating and fulfilling. It enables a profound connection between myself, the clay, and the creative process—a dialogue where each movement shapes the form and reveals the character of the material. This intimate relationship fuels my passion and drives my continual pursuit of mastery in the craft.
The sagger, containing ceramics carefully wrapped in natural materials gathered from Dartmoor and the Devon coast, is sealed and placed in a gas kiln for a slow firing process. During firing, the natural materials undergo a transformation, releasing colors, patterns, and textures that infuse the pottery. As these elements interact with the clay, they create surfaces that are unique and impossible to replicate. This process results in pieces that carry a deep connection to their origin, each imbued with its own distinct character and story.
