MAKER OF THE WEEK - JONATHAN GARRATT

Jonathan Garratt FRSA

Jonathan Garratt concentrates on wood firing a locally dug clay (terracotta) for work ranging from unusual garden planters to slipware, decorative pots and garden art installations. Many of the influences derive from prehistoric pottery and other artefacts and from tribal arts.


Money spent on play is never wasted

Favourite living craft maker
Catherine Vanier (France) very highly skilled technically courageous imaginative (terre vernissee0

Favourite Artist
Alexander Calder - sharp, fluid, distinctive.

When and where did you first want to do what you do?
Age 16 at Eton College

What place in the world has inspired you?
European alps, wildlife, memories of embryonic ski industry. Holidays 1960, space, visual drama, botany photographs.

Do you work best on your own or in collaboration?
By myself

What one craft item do you really covet?
Amber Jade Chinese "Ear Cup" - Han Dynasty. Just too beautiful


At aged 15 who influenced your style?
Hans Coper

Was there any individual who helped you on your way?
Gordon Baldwin

Best read?
The night watch - Sarah Waters

How much do you bend your 'vision' to suit the marketplace?
Not much, different price levels.

Who buys your work?
Gardeners, outside eaters, people who think for themselves.

How do you set about starting a new project?
Stetches on the back of envelopes

What do you have on your pinboard?
African textiles


Where is your studio?
Its an ex milking parlour with north light . I work by myself. A wall of African CD's keeps me going

Surprising activity
Growing wild plants from seeds collected on holiday

What one word would descibe your feeling of doing your work
discovery

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
Obviously, the whole new organic food industry is craft of a kind. If you want a civilised culture you need makers

Are there other (unusual) fields that you'd like to apply some facet of your work into?
New interest in Garden Design

Guilty secret
Drink too much


Can anything be art?
NO. Most current 'art' or 'craft' is too knowing vis a vis the marketplace not enough dreaming.

What do think are crimes against good taste and decency in art/craft/design?
Going for pretension and worthless aclaim/cash.


Most overated artist
D Hirst - trite

If you could exhibit in any gallery which would it be?
Haven't found it yet. Maureen Michaelson is an outstanding curator/host she takes the work seriously bothers to visit the artist andis effective on the sales front. Doesn't run a full time gallery as such but does shows.