Helen Nock

'Much of the raw inspiration for my work is a relationship between finding and imagination. While design themes are carefully planned and functionally feasible, the highly individual surfaces emerge from memories, thoughts and feelings evoked between ideas and the material I am drawn to. In a sense, the materials and I are engaged in writing our shared history. I grew up immersed in rural and coastal environments, in the old ways of make-do-and-mend and deeply connected with nature. The details and remembered joys and challenges of those experiences, a practical intelligence and love of ancient, weathered and ambiguous objects and architecture, and slower hand-driven technologies are all reflected in my work.' - Helen

Helen started on her artistic journey as a self-taught ceramicist. Eventually, yearning for a wider art experience, she journeyed through art and design, finally graduating with a BA Hons in Fine Art. After university, Helen unexpectedly fell into teaching - art jobs weren’t thick on the ground for mature graduates - but seven years later she made the leap to focus on a full-time professional art practice. Bursting with unformed ideas but with little initial direction, Helen was set on her path when her blacksmith associate, Nathan Bennett, offered her part-time work experience in return for a small wage to supplement Helen's startup. She leaped at the chance, having already fallen in love with the furnace.

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