Deborah Harwood

Deborah Harwood is a porcelain ceramicist working on the wheel. Her artistic practice is deeply rooted in the serene landscapes of the South Downs National Park, nestled on the edge of the Goodwood estate. This tranquil environment profoundly influences her work, inspiring a sense of elegance and calm that she strives to capture in each piece.

Deborah Harwood is a member of the Crafts Council, gives occasional ceramic workshops and exhibits her work at galleries in Cambridge and Cornwall as well at various ceramic events nationally (e.g. Potfest).

She says "I focus on creating forms that embody simplicity and grace, emphasising the beauty of clean lines and smooth surfaces. I use minimal colour, using the Neriage technique and this allows the colour to create its own landscape and movement. Guided by the ancient techniques of porcelain craftsmanship I endeavour to reflect both the timeless elegance and the modern aesthetic.

Through my pieces, I aim to evoke a meditative experience, encouraging a moment of pause and reflection in the bustle of life. I believe that the objects we surround ourselves with can influence our emotional landscape, and I aspire for my work to serve as a gentle reminder of tranquility and harmony."

"Neriage" is a Japanese decorative ceramic technique that involves combining different coloured clays to create unique patterns within the structure of the piece. Unlike other techniques that apply surface decorations, neriage integrates the colors directly into the clay mass, which means that the patterns remain visible even if the piece is cut or sanded.

This technique produces complex visual effects, such as veins, spirals, marbling or layers, which are revealed as the clay is shaped or worked.

Neriage is achieved by laminating layers of different coloured clay and kneading, twisting or cutting them strategically to create the desired designs. Pieces can then be thrown, moulded or hand-built, revealing the patterns through manipulation and smoothing of the surface.

It originated in ancient Chinese ceramics of the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD), where it was used to create marbleised effects on porcelain and decorative pieces. It was rediscovered and perfected in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868), and has since become an emblematic technique of Japanese art ceramics.

Deborah Harwood is a master of Neriage and her pieces are brilliant examples of this ancient technique.

[Neriage contrasts with "Nerikomi", which typically relies on hand-building and geometric slab assembly.]