JANE TOPLISS

When Jane was first introduced to clay she had no concept of how cathartic a medium it would turn out to be, and how much it would change her life for the better.  "Pottery has been amazing for me. Not only is it so good for the soul and mental health, it has enabled me to find an artistic side that I never knew existed. Through clay I have developed new skills and met so many amazing people who I would never have crossed paths with otherwise, and my life is much richer because of that." 

Having studied palaeontology many years ago, and then following a very different career path, Jane has come full circle and absolutely loves the opportunity that playing with clay gives her for re-finding her love of fossils. For Artweeks 2023 she developed her fossilware range, which integrates ammonites and trilobites into the pieces, usually through the addition of sprig moulds. These pieces were very smooth and rounded, depicting the smooth stone nodule surface within which many fossils can be found. This year she is taking some pieces down a different path and making them very rough-hewn and rock like. A representation of the shale beds, especially prevalent along the Yorkshire coast, within which ammonites are regularly discovered.

Alongside this fossil inspired work, Jane regularly collaborates with fellow Artist in Woodstock, Theodora Boorman, producing unique pieces of ceramic art which are very different to her usual style. All of Jane's available work can be found on her website and insights into her making process are on her social media accounts.