Anke Barrett

About

After raising a large family in Ballydehob, West Cork, as more time gradually started to become available, Anke has been drawn into working with clay. She predominantly hand-builds functional tableware, working with stoneware and porcelain.

“Soon I was in the grip of the endless possibilities that making durable items with clay and fire has to offer. Making esthetically pleasing and functional tableware by simply using traditional hand-building skills has become a passion, some may say an obsession. My work is inspired by the ever changing colours of the land- and seascape here in West Cork.”

Anke holds a QQI level 6 in Ceramic Design.  With regard to process she’s predominantly self-taught but regularly signs up for masterclasses with experienced potters in areas she wishes to explore further. A Curiosity of glaze chemistry has let her on the path of making her own glazes and exploring inclusions of foraged natural glaze ingredients, shells, wild clays and ash from her wood burning stove.