“Lots of people that I sell to really appreciate the skill that has gone into making the mugs because they have had a go and gone home with an ashtray.” – Kirstin Whitney
Kirstin Whitney’s clay sculpting at Wild Urban channels the classical elements of air, water, earth, and fire to create sustainable, striking ceramics. Her elemental mugs, displayed at the Underfall Café and Market, offer a refreshing purpose for a morning coffee or makeshift bowls for oatmeal. I have had the opportunity to speak with Kirstin about how her mugs tie into the topics of conservation, traditional crafts and artistic invention. Here is a quick look at Kirstin’s creative process:
Looking back on your page, your pottery forms a connection with water, air, fire, and earth. What was the inspiration for this?
I love being outside – thus the title of my business. All my first pots with patterns on them were inspired by the countryside and, through experimentation with masking tape, were the first mountain pots I made. Eventually, I used the wax originally placed on the base of the pot to mimic the qualities of the tape, allowing for a water design to form. With the inspiration of my surfer husband, the striped pots evolved to a sunset – linking them in theme and colour to the later designs. Additionally, the air design is an outlier but was an extension of the mountain/weathered country landscape design originally. It was on a journey home with a colleague when I was describing my pots that I made the connection with ‘the elements’.
What are the qualities you attribute to these elements?
Earth is my favourite because I love the mountains. I visit the French Alps at least once a year for my soul. [It’s a] breath of fresh air and a walk to your heart’s content. Water is threatening, and something that I love to watch. My Grandma had a flat with a view of the sea in Bexhill, Sussex, and you could sit and watch the ocean for hours in a meditative state. Air is those early morning dewy mists that you wake up to in the countryside, filled with murky greys and greens that swirl around. I love the unpredictable use of glazes, as they melt together – it all has a Japanese influence. Fire is a celebratory aspect of the mornings and evenings when, if you are lucky, you can be in the most extraordinary sunsets and sunrises, and your heart lifts with hope.
How do you define sustainability, and how does this fit into your practice?
I am not sure that I am qualified to define sustainability, but as a primary school teacher, my eco team won national awards for their environmental work in school and the local community. It is doing all that ‘you’ can do to lessen your impact on the environment and, where possible, implement actions to improve it. Clay is a material sourced in the UK and is very durable – pots have even been found around Stonehenge! Whilst electricity is used to fire the clay, in comparison to a plastic/ceramic container shipped from China, their footprint is definitely better.
How do you see your functional ceramics at Wild Urban developing within the coming years?
An interest in ceramics has increased over the last ten years, possibly linked to the ‘Great British Throw Down’ and the mental health benefits one receives from the process of making with their hands. The population is interested in traditional skills, the TV and podcasts are scattered with History shows – hopefully it is a trend that will continue. For me, I love the work of William Morris. I am a very practical person and need everything to have a purpose, but I also love beautiful objects – pottery gives beautiful forms combined with functional uses, perfect.
What got you into pottery?
I love creating, but I am not a naturally talented 2D artist. Clay gave me the chance to be creative and express that part of my personality, and I have come back to it like a moth to the light for 30 years now. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to be having this opportunity to practice and chat about it all the time, not just once a week at night school.
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Kirstin’s beautiful designs combine elemental aesthetics, functionality and locally sourced materials. They are a perfect fit for Underfall Yard, a historic working boatyard that serves as a centre for Bristol’s traditional maritime crafts. Wild Urban’s wares are available to purchase at Underfall Café and our Visitor Centre, all made by hand with traditional pottery techniques. You can also regularly spot Kirstin’s stall at Underfall Market, which will be returning this July for Yard Fest (19-20th July).
Thank you to Amanda, one of our volunteers, for putting this wonderful interview together!