Fern Taylor is a ceramic artist specialising in the Nerikomi technique, which involves layering coloured clays to create intricate patterns. Fern’s journey began with a background in Fine Art painting at university, followed by years of exploration in painting before transitioning to ceramics six years ago.

Fern is now based at Cernamic in Deptford, and we caught up with her to find out more about her practice and the incredibly labour intensive techniques she uses. 

Shop work by Fern here

KTS | Hi Fern, we’re so excited to have your work join our shelves this year! Can you start by telling us a little about yourself and your practice? 

FT | Hi! I’m very excited to have my work included in your lovely store! I’m a self-taught ceramicist based in London. I studied Fine Art at Kingston University, sadly I didn’t use the pottery facilities there, I focused on painting. 

I took a two-hour taster class six years ago and loved it. I was able to put a lot of time and energy into ceramics during lockdown where I focused on slab building and nerikomi, I then went full time last year. 

KTS | The majority of your work is created using the technique of Nerikomi, where you meticulously stack, slice, stretch and roll together pieces of coloured clay to create intricate patterns. It’s not something we see every day. Can you tell us a bit about the technique, where you first came across it and what inspired you to explore this labour-intensive practice?

FT | I had seen the technique in books long before I started working with clay, but I didn’t really learn more about it until we went into lockdown and I had the time to sit and learn, otherwise I might not have taught myself this practice!

KTS | For anyone wanting to try their hand at Nerikomi, do you have any advice? Perhaps something you remember overcoming when you first started learning how to incorporate it into your practice?

FT | Practice the technique with small amounts of stain to begin with and recycle your work, otherwise it’s going to be a very, very expensive hobby. 

KTS | I’ve read that Danish ceramist Gertrud Vasegaard has been a big influence on you. What was it about her work that initially caught your eye?

FT | Gertrud Vasegaard’s work caught my eye because of its simple minimalist design. Her pieces were often unpretentious and functional, yet visually striking. 

KTS | As your work has evolved over the past few years, where else have you taken inspiration from?

FT | A lot of the inspiration I get is from patterns or colours I notice when I’m out and about. I love looking at works by artists like Laura Coutinho, her colour combinations tickle my brain!

KTS | You are a member at the pottery studio Cernamic. Do you think the environment of an open studio, surrounded by potters working with so many techniques and styles, has influenced your own practice?

FT | It must do! Theres definitely a handful of peoples work who I always look forward to seeing when we’re unloading the kiln. It’s great to have people around you to ask questions or maybe to tell you your idea is crap. 

KTS | Do you have a standout piece from your own collection – maybe something you are most proud of, or a piece you think just works?

FT | Yes, I personally love the tall striped vases and think they look good as a set, the shape was based on square Chinese porcelain vases I had seen. 

KTS | What about those pieces that didn’t quite go to plan? I imagine with the methodical process of Nerikomi, you really have to trust the process in those early stages – what was that like?

FT | Oh, so many. It’s incredibly annoying but you learn very quickly when making ceramics to let go. I’d say around 30% of my ideas either don’t go to plan or crack. 

KTS | Looking ahead, are there any projects you’d love to take on over the next few years? Or maybe stylistic changes you would make to your own work?

FT | I’ve been itching to do some sgraffito pieces, and my next project will be some nerikomi tiles. 

KTS | Finally, are there any other makers you’ve got your eye on at the moment?

FT | Yes! Yoji Yamada, Edith Morris, Sophie Adelaide, XinYue Ma, Hiroki Miura.