Welcome to this "text-only" web page about me and my work, As it is a text-only page, I cannot share with you the large number of images of my pieces that feature on my website. If you can, visit the full website at www.terrismart.co.uk for full images and text.
I have a B Sc in Architecture from University College, London, and I worked in architecture and interior design until ten years ago when I had to give up full-time work for health reasons. I turned to pottery and realised that playing with mud suited me exactly. I was living in Hong Kong when I first took lessons, surrounded by oriental influences.
Pottery has become a passion. Sometimes I start with an image or a drawing,
sometimes I work directly in clay. My work is generally stoneware, both hand built
and thrown, and I like to experiment with all sorts of different ideas – trying paper
clay, modelling in crank, moulding and tearing and using different coloured
porcelain inlays. Most lately I have ventured into the world of creating glazes and slips, and I find I prefer matt textured surfaces.
I do a variety of styles but every piece is quite unique.....
A collection of tall, slim african figures inspired by the Maasai of East Africa including male and female figures ranging in height from 10 inches to 4 feet.
Colours are dark brown with pale or coloured beading around the necks
Sailing ships to fishing smacks perched on high waves typically 4 to 18 inches high.
Colours are typically blues, greens and whites
The "High Seas" group is a large (12") wave with a tiny boat riding the crest of the wave.
Colours are typically blues, greens and whites
Unglazed pieces including fish, camels, llamas, seed pods and barley heads.
Colours are predominantly sable or white with black-lined features
Raku-fired free-form pieces typically under 12 inches high, including female figures, 'dinosaur' eggs and gourd shaped pieces..
Colours are brown, white and black.
A collection of amusing 8 inch high female torsos, each uniquely shaped and each with one arm at rest on its hip. Titled with names such as "Come up and see me" make every viewer smile. Colours are sand, white with black-lined features.
A wide ranging group of free-standing exterior or interior sculpture including the African figures (up to 4 feet), totem poles, bearded barley, elm seed, green flames and the remarkable Flying Fish and Flying Birds which float in shoals and flocks respectively on strands of metal.
Colours are green, brown, black and white.
Jugs, jars, treasure chests, zebra pots, bottles and tootlers in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Colours are white, black, green, brown and blue.
Functional pieces created on the wheel including plates, cups, mugs, teapots, gecko jugs, bowls and porcelain cups. Colours are blue, white and sand
Before long Terri was hooked. On moving to Singapore with her husband a year or so later, she rented space in the studio of a Singapore potter, Peter Seah whose experience she could lean on when the need arose. Returning to England in 1994, she set up her own studio at Cherry Cottage and completed her City & Guilds course in Ceramics in 1999, for which she needed to demonstrate competence in a wide variety of techniques including throwing, coiling, slab building and slip casting.
Terri displays and sells her work at Guildford House Gallery on Guildford High Street and at many local Surrey galleries and galleries around the country. She can occasionally be found at a good craft fair. She is a member of several societies (see below) and exhibits at their shows and exhibitions, often creating items for these shows that are "a little bit different and not especially practical". She has set up Kaleidoscope, a cooperative which brings together artists with different skills - glass, textile art and photography as well as ceramics. Whatever you are looking for, a special gift or a piece to add to your own collection, why not call her on 01483 222710 to buy or commission pieces or go and visit her at work. She is happy to undertake commissions based on any image of her work on her website as well as your own ideas. Whether you buy 'off the shelf' or commission a piece you know it will be unique.Terri Smart,
Cherry Cottage,
Back Lane,
East Clandon,Near Guildford,
Surrey
England
GU4 7SA
Telephone 01483 222710
email terri@terrismart.co.uk