Joseph Ludkin

Joseph grew up in a potting family in rural Norfolk. His Grandfather set up and ran the Holkham Hall pottery and his mother taught pottery at school. However it wasn’t until many years later that Joseph decided to embark on a career in pottery and the ceramic arts.

 Joseph trained at Roland Austin’s studio and the Kiln Rooms in South East London. After stints in shared studios in Tulse Hill and Peckham, he set up his own home studio in Brockley where he makes predominantly functional pots from Stoneware and Earthenware clay from his garden. Joseph’s work is often the result of a combination of throwing and hand building techniques. As well as working as a potter he also works as a design and craft tutor most recently teaching at Goldsmiths College

 The ‘natural world’ and the ‘homemade’ play a large parts in Joseph’s work; he uses locally-sourced materials in his practice or materials collected on his travels. Clay is dug for body mixes and for making slip to decorate with. Joseph also uses this clay in his glazes, combining it with ash made from tree bark and collected shrubs. Climbing plants from his garden and work cuttings are made into handles and whipping. Joseph’s work bares influence from Japanese and Korean techniques and aesthetics but also pays homage to British and American studio pottery.