Abigail trained originally as a painter and that shows in how she works with clay. It’s a surface to work into, building up layers, leaving marks, not everything is left smooth and perfectly finished.

She throws the pieces on a wheel and each one develops slightly differently depending on how the clay, both light and dark, and glaze interact. She also has been using recycled and reclaimed clays which makes the result more unpredictable and the final piece unique.

Surfaces are matt or gloss, with some areas that feel almost unglazed, even when there is a subtle transparent glaze or a very light gilding.

As shown by many of the images on her website there’s no doubt that the pieces are functional and meant to be handled.

She learnt the beauty of functionality under Akiko Hirai and by choosing to make domestic objects that people recognise she affirms her stated view that her “starting point is familiarity”. Her work does feel familiar – bowls, vases, beakers – but there’s more to them. It is just a starting point. The pieces are simple and restrained but there is far more to experience in them than familiarity.

All images: © Abigail Schama