We have just enjoyed
two hours with Yo Thom who provided modest but articulate insights into the
development of her distinctive domestic ware. Although she developed all her
interest in ceramics in the UK and trained with Lisa Hammond – a time which she
talked of with affection and grateful thanks – there is no doubt that in Yo's
pots we see a strong Japanese influence. She lucidly described the way in which
her decorative voice developed
over the early years of her career.
Having moved from
London to Shaftesbury in 2009 – a move partly influenced by her desire to take
up wood firing – a difficult proposition in an intense urban setting – she
started a family and the demands of three young children and settled for high
temperature electric firing. However, she still has ambitions to take up wood
firing.
Yo acknowledged that
it would have been much more difficult for her to make her way in ceramics in
Japan because of the hierarchy and elitism within centuries of making
tradition. The status of ceramics is entirely different in Japan with
established makers given high status in society. Nevertheless Yo welcomed the
freedom she had working in the UK and the many opportunities that potters had
to develop and take alternative approaches to their work.
Appropriately, we
spent some time talking about the 'clothing of food' with hand built plates and
culinary accessories. This certainly a long established Japanese culture which
is certainly not widely observed in the UK with the exception of the ceramic
enthusiasts, of course. Everyone agreed that Yo's pots added much to the
pleasure of eating and drinking even the simplest of meals.
The lunch was enjoyed
by everyone not only because Yo is a charming maker who enjoys talking about
her creative endeavour but because
they engaged completely with Yo and importantly her fine pots. This
lunch confirmed, yet again, the value of this monthly event in promoting wider
interest in ceramics and their origins. Thank you Yo for making the effort to
be with us.
Stuart Dickens
4 November 2018
