Behind the Scenes at the V&A WEDGWOOD COLLECTION

Catrin Jones, chief inaugural curator, talks to Janet Gleeson about how she cares for one of the most important industrial collections in the world

- Janet Gleeson

When I look back I realise that ceramics are the common thread running through my career. I've been lucky to work at The Holburne Museum, Ashmolean Museum and Waddesdon Manor, where I had my first job as an intern. I think it's because ceramic is something we are surrounded by, but when you see the amazing, grand, extraordinary things you can do with it, you realise it's a lovely meeting of the everyday and extreme technical achievement.

My work means I've been involved with historic collections as well as with exhibitions, commissioning work and working with artists, to really explore how the historic and contemporary come together. I've curated shows where we invited artists to respond to the collections: for me that's where it really comes to life, you can get a whole new perspective on collections.