CLAUDIA RANKIN

“I think the highest aim for my work is for people to enjoy living with it in their homes. So much the better if they are plates, vases or candleholders in everyday use.”

My workbench is edged with shelves of books and exhibition catalogues that I regularly refer to for inspiration. Some of my favourites at the moment feature work by Picasso, Guidette Carbonell, Hilton Nel, Ann Stokes and Magdalena Suarez Frimkess. My studio is in a relatively quiet rural spot. I love it but also need regular refuelling travels to London and further afield for exhibitions, markets and museums. Recently I have loved the Seyni Awa Camara show at the Gallery of Everything and Hew Locke’s 'What Have We Here?’ At The British Museum. 

For the purpose of making plates I’ve amassed a big collection of plaster moulds taken from favourite plates, platters and bowls. I roll out white earthenware clay and slump it onto the chosen mould, patting it over the plaster form.

Once it’s dry enough to hold its shape the plate gets decorated with coloured underglazes and is then allowed to dry out completely before bisque firing. Following that, a clear glaze is applied. A final firing sees the colours pop up and the plate surface becomes shiny and ready to go. 

My living spaces are far from minimalist and the stuff we’ve collected brings a lot of pleasure, particularly the artworks and decorative objects. I enjoy cooking and laying a table with consideration for how it all works together. If my ceramics live on people’s kitchen tables or mantlepieces, that’s ideal.

Claudia Rankin studied her Foundation at Wimbledon School of Art then a Fine Art Degree at Canterbury College of Art. An M.A in Sculpture at University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. She exhibits with Wilson Stephens and Jones and 8 Holland Street in London. This year Claudia has exhibited at ‘Parade’ at Kneeland Rarities in Los Angeles and will have a collection of ceramics at Curator and Maker’s pop up ‘A Time of Gifts’.