This exhibition explores how the pottery techniques and styles of previous generations and different cultures are being reinvented by artists today. From Staffordshire figures to Sunderland lustrework, from Sri Lanka to Scandinavia, ceramics traditions continue to inspire.

Featured artists Katrin Moye and Unity Coombes talk us through their work and inspirations.

My decorative style and subject matter recall my childhood memories of growing up in England and Germany in the 1970s.

I remember textiles, book illustrations and home-made crafts, and particular items such as herb jars, coffee pots and cushions, which have all inspired my use of pattern. My Danish godmother also brought a Scandinavian influence.

More recently I have enjoyed exploring repeating patterns drawn from plants and trees, and I have developed an interest in mid-century English artists such as John and Paul Nash, Eric Ravilious and Enid Marx.

Katrin Moye is an award-winning ceramic artist specialising in decorative, domestic slipware and one-off collectors’ pieces. From her Nottingham studio, Katrin handthrows her ceramics using dark earthenware, covering each piece in thin, white slip before adding her distinctive, highly decorative detail.

I paint the things that I love – ceramics, textiles, pattern – and I work with a rich colour palette.

My work draws on the tradition of Still Life painting but with a characterful and sometimes amusing edge. I like to include animals in my work and their expressions and the way in which they ‘interact’ in the paintings is something that I enjoy creating.

I often paint Staffordshire Figures for this reason. These naive and colourful creatures fit well into my world, often paired with vivid tablecloths and wallpapers. They transport me back to memories of grandparents’ houses, adorning mantelpieces and dressers. I have steadily built my own collection from antique markets and second-hand shops and this is the beauty of Flatbacks - they are accessible and collectable, cheery and delightful. Some of my favourite artists have included them in their work - Christopher Wood, Mary Fedden and Enid Marx.

Painting Staffordshire Figures is a real joy and something I will continue to do for many years to come.

Unity Coombes studied Fine Art at Falmouth School of Art with a particular focus on printmaking. It was through making prints that she truly learnt to draw and from there she moved into painting. She now lives and works in Devon.

Also featuring:

Emma Forrester

Hannah McAndrew

Isatu Hyde

Chris Keenan

Sussex Lustreware

Rose Wallace

Shriyani Batuwitage

Watts Ceramics: Living Traditions runs at Watts Contemporary Gallery from 30 March - 18 June.
Free admission.
All works for sale.