Sue Paraskeva hand throws and turns her beautiful speckled porcelain for us on the Isle of Wight. Her new pieces for TOAST include a softly shaped beaker, bowl, mug and pleasingly round jug - smooth glossy glaze on the inside, slightly grainy outside. As part of our workspace series we take a look inside her studio - an old coach house in Ryde...
Tell us about your art form
Using pure porcelain and mixtures of other clay and recycled porcelain, I throw simple vessels on a wheel. I gas fire in a reduction atmosphere producing subtle colour finishes.
I create a range of tableware in three colours, and make one off pieces and installations.
Sue Paraskeva beaker- Photo by Tanya Goodwin
Describe your workspace...
My studio for the last six years, is an old coach house in Ryde on the Isle of Wight. It's a bit cold in the winter but stays cool in the summer which is essential. Having just mended a longstanding leak I am looking forward to a new dry spell in the studio.
I have worked on the Isle of Wight since 2000, moving out of London for a three year residency at Quay Arts Centre. I love being near to the beach and the countryside on the Island. Living in Ryde near the ferry also makes London accessible. I can day trip to London for the day and get the best of both worlds.
Ryde is a town on a beach with a range of independent shops. I walk the dog on the beach most days, once the kids have gone to school, and enjoy the space and time this gives me to think.
Photographs by Steve Thearle
How does your work reflect your surroundings?
I have recently been commissioned to create four wall pieces for the NHS, inspired by my surroundings. A Diptych " The Beach " is a recreation of the shapes and interesting finds from the beach.
Do you work better in chaos or order?
Making pots can make a lot of mess but I can tidy well .
Do you work better in silence or sound?
I throw pots in silence but when I glaze and do other odd jobs I listen toloud music, from BBC 6 music to Radio 3.
Another artist / ceramist you would like to meet?
The Anselm Kiefer exhibition at the Royal Academy blew me away. I would love to meet him in his gallery in France.
Sue Paraskeva's tableware for TOAST. Photograph by Alice Gao
You can view Sue Paraskeva's ceramics here at TOAST
Lead image by Steve Thearle.
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