Sarah Bartlem

Whether her pieces are wheel-thrown or hand-built, Sarah is drawn to the Japanese aesthetic of simple organic shapes and finding beauty in the imperfect. She’s constantly experimenting with form, texture and application of the glaze, trying to move her work to its next level but with an eye on the simplicity of form and decoration. There is always a practical purpose – the idea that we can use beautiful, handmade items in our everyday life is very important to her. With her recent collection Sarah has taken inspiration from the rugged landscape and beautiful stone of the houses and the walls around her home in North Wales. Two different stoneware clays are harmonised by their natural forms, mark making, and the glaze and its application. The off-white glaze is soft in colour and texture, and either dipped or applied with a natural flow. Some of these one-off pieces are decorated with irregular shapes echoing patterns formed within the dry
stone walls in her local countryside.

Her work features in private collections and leading galleries including Ruthin Craft Centre, The Bluecoat Display Centre in Liverpool, Tregony Contemporary at St Mawes, Cornwall, Oriel Plas Glyn y Weddw, The Royal Cambrian Academy of Art and Y Capel, Llangollen. She also has work in various design and interiors shops in Cheshire, Yorkshire and Leicestershire.