Tracey Holt Walkden

After 20 years curating exhibitions, in 2015 I made the switch and began investing my own creative energy in clay.

Inspired by Delftware, I experiment with cobalt and decorative detail to emulate plates, cups, bowls and vessels from the C17th, often layering with glaze and gold lustre to produce a contemporary interpretation.

I love my works to be used – to have purpose. My passion lies in creating functional pieces that people love to hold, to share, to gift, to drink and eat from, to honour, to inspire their rituals …

Every piece I make is unique with the emphasis on slow-production - the aim is not about perfection but creating with love & purpose. Although I may explore themes and styles, the hand-made nature of each ceramic, makes them totally original. Any item can be customised as desired by the addition of appropriate words and/or images.

My interest has always been in 3-dimensional, domestic works and I originally trained in Furniture Design. However, I found clay a more immediate and tactile medium. Having attended numerous and various, day and evening pottery classes over a 30yr period I needed more. This culminated in Claywirks of which I am a founder member - a group of 12 potters based in Wirksworth, Derbyshire who came together in 2015 to experiment, play, make and think in a safe, clean, well-equipped space.