Dawn Hajittofi

Dawn Hajittofi studied Ceramics at Havering College and the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham. She set up her own practice in January 2020.

Dawn throws vessels in white earthenware, then alters and marks the surfaces with various indentations, sometimes adding pieces to the surface. She decorates using coloured slips, oxides, glazes and underglazes.

“Influenced by my previous work in counselling, I make vessels that represent a 'life story'.  They embody the scars and marks of our struggles yet show the hope and possibility of recovery and joy.

“The abstract marks and decoration symbolise the significant events we encounter and acknowledge the lasting impact they can have. I also add gilt to the surface which is a reference to the Japanese art of ‘Kintsugi’, the restoring of a broken vessel with gold. This has become a much-loved metaphor for our lives; a reminder to stay hopeful when things fall apart and to celebrate all that we overcome.”