Stoneware and seaweed Jar, ‘Ballymorran’ by Tracey Johnston. Handmade in County Down.

Number one of a series of 10.

Approximate measurements; height 30cm, width 30cm

Ballymorran

Stoneware, seaweed, glaze.

“This jar was fired with actual seaweed which its trace on the surface of the jar. Touched by the landscape, and fired with a seaweed coloured iron rich glaze. Often when wild swimming at Ballymorrran, our legs get tickled with seaweed that grows in this tidal area and when I look this jar it recalls the sound of laughter as we swim and a sense of togetherness within the growing community of wild swimmer in Ireland.” – Tracey Johnston.

About the maker:

Tracey Johnston is a Northern Irish Landscape Ceramic Artist who works with nature to make vessels that seek to connect us with our natural surroundings in the areas of discovery, survival and function. Our Irish landscape tells a fascinating story of years of exposure to change, through the elements and human interaction. The artist wants not only to replicate the beauty of our landscape and coastlines, but also incapsulate the emotions and reasons we have for living in, walking on and retreating to it.

Working with stoneware, throwing, casting and hand building, using oxides to colour with the added dimension of glazing and multiple firings, Tracey’s work is unpredictable and organic just like the landscape she is influenced by.