Helen McCormick is a Welsh ceramicist and art teacher based in Cullompton, Devon. Her hand-built ceramic vessels are deeply inspired by the ebb and flow of the ocean and the ever-changing coastline. Through traditional hand-building techniques, she explores the plasticity of the clay, embedding small samples of sand from specific locations to create texture, colour, and through firing - permanency. This process not only preserves the sand but also strengthens the vessel's connection to the landscape from which it originates. 

 

Each piece begins as a simple pinch pot and is gradually coiled over several days, allowing time for reflection before the next coil is added. Once leather-hard, the form is carefully refined by carving away excess clay by hand, using a mirror and turntable to achieve a symmetrical, tactile finish. 

 

The surfaces of her vessels are brought to life with custom glazes and slips, applied using a variety of techniques. Copper oxide is the primary colourant, but in response to ethical concerns surrounding mining, she has begun experimenting with making her own verdigris pigments from reclaimed copper piping. Her goal is to create a hue that harmonises with her existing glaze, evoking a dynamic interplay of blues and greens that mirrors the depth and movement of the ocean. 

 

Helen is currently working on a new collection of vessels responding to the Llwybr Cadfan pilgrimage in North-West Wales. These pieces will draw inspiration from significant landmarks, ancient sites, relics and the natural colours found along the historic route, further deepening the connection between place, material and form.