Making Waves

After years of ‘playing on the wheel’, potter Stephanie Wright discovered a unique fourth dimension of dancing figures within the strong curves of her new clay pieces. Janet Donin visits her Dorking studio to find out more

- Janet Donin

Tell us something about yourself...

I am a trained psychologist but, having married in 1979, my husband and I moved to the USA, where basically I had nothing to do. So I attended a pottery workshop and eventually became a self-taught tableware potter. On returning to England, I gained several qualifications in art, sculpture and ceramics which gave me a thorough working knowledge of glaze and clay technology.

When did your love of the potter’s wheel begin?

I established my wheel-throwing skills by dedicating endless hours in the garage of our house in Oklahoma, from where I made and sold tableware. On returning to England I developed two new lines of decorated tableware. Although I have spent time using other techniques with clay, I always come back to my comfort zone at the potter’s wheel.

How did you develop your unique wave style?

Through my studies I learnt how to think outside the box and play with new ideas. My first wave form grew out of an unused pedestal of a raised bowl, which I twisted to discover the basis of a new form with a feeling of energy and movement.

Where do you find your inspiration?