When I started my pottery course at Parade Mews Pottery in Tulse Hill, I was determined not to make any pots. But you end up making vessels of one sort or another as thats whats pottery is about. This was the first big piece I made and is inspired by Eduardo Chillida.

I wanted the vase’s shape to have the cut out negative spaces of a Chillida sculpture. I also tried to experiment with smooth against textured finishes. I spent ages roughing up the surface with a small granite boulder from the garden. But as it was the first time I had glazed something so large and I think I put on a bit too much as it ended up covering and obscuring the texture when it was finally fired.

I think it echoes the spirit of some of Chillida’s smaller alabaster sculptures.