Inspired by the traditional Korean Moon Jar, and the Moon herself and the sea, Debbie Page explores the possibilities arising from the combination of clay, glaze and smoke working together. Moon Jars are spherical jars, traditionally very large, however Debbie’s are more modest in size. She is attracted to the simple yet strong form of the sphere.

Debbie handbuilds her Moon Jars, using coils placed in hemi-spherical moulds to give shape prior to joining together. She applies glazes in a way to suggest water and movement, using sponges & silicon brushes.

She also makes tall vessels, inspired by the Japanese water bucket, and with a handle formed from found sticks of wood.

Debbie uses two ways to fire her work – raku firing where she prefers a heavy carbonisation of naked clay alongside highly coloured, shiny glazes.

Her second method involves a normal glaze firing and then smoke firing giving a wonderful contrast between smoky tones on naked areas of clay and the crackle glazes.

Debbie uses white earthenware clay and porcelain and a small palette of glazes.

Debbie is very fortunate to have her studio in her back garden – it’s a small shed painted sunflower yellow. It’s her happy place, where she makes her pots whilst listening to podcasts on history, science and true crime. Debbie is a night owl and does her best work when the rest of the world has gone to bed, which is why she doesn’t listen to podcasts on unexplained phenomena! She has an un-nerving way of coming up with an interesting new idea for a pot about 2 weeks before a show which just has to be explored then and there.

Debbie takes part in Oxfordshire Art Weeks, Henley Art Trail and other open studio events. She is a member of the Oxfordshire Craft Guide and West Forest Potters.

Debbie’s work will be displayed at Baban – 4 Buttermarket, Thame from 15-19 October.