MAKER OF THE WEEK - Jonathan Garratt

Jonathan Garratt F.R.S.A
Woodfired Tableware and Garden Pots/Sculpture

One favourite living artist?
Conor Wilson. Ceramic Artist, Bristol. Groundbreaking and brave work. Huge intelligence and fine detail.

One favourite living craft maker?
Kei Ito. textile craft maker. Courageous and hugely imaginative maker, referencing architecture and fashion from a wide world of influences. Seriously beautiful work.


One favourite historical maker?
Michael Cardew, potter 1970's. Huge energy, intelligence, humour and integrity. Seminal influence on field of ceramics.


When and where did you first want to do what you do?
At Eton College, studying with Gordon Baldwin. Started with Cartier Bresson style photography, then sculpture, then ceramics.

What place in the world has inspired you?
Africa. Produces a hugh supply of exciting, gutsy and tender art/craftworks unencumbered by the pretentious problems that beset the Western creatives. African music particularly.


What was the last art/craft/design thing you purchased?
Pot, porcelain by Sun Kim Korean potter, London. Stunning clarity, feel and composition.

At age 15 who influenced your style? Was there any individual who very much helped you on your way?
Hans Coper. Gordon Baldwin, teacher.

Last best read?
Arcardian Friends by Tim Richardson. Garden history in the 18th Century.


Who would you say buys your work?
People who respond to good architecture, good sculpture, good form. Gardeners. People who like good food. People who think for themselves.

Where and what is your studio? Do you work alone? In silence, radio?
I listen to African music CDs and France-Inter (French radio)Surprising activity?
Garden Designer. Huge interest in that field and I have lots of links in that sphere.

What one word would describe your feeling of doing your work?
Discovery.

Do you think art and craft has any real importance?
What a question! Of course, if you value having a culture at all in the UK. We need to engage with intellectual, imaginative and stimulating beauty. Makers, good ones, have interesting things to say and this is our language.

Are their other fields that you'd like to apply some facet of your work into?
Making large scale containers for plants. Mobile planters in a variety of materials.


What do think are crimes against good taste & decency in art/craft/design?
Telling lies about your work. Pretentious posturing involving the use of literary scaffolding to shore up inept or weak work. Making craftwork with no content - "Hotel Art". Some makers actually copy what is being imported. What we need is genuine and heartfelt originality.

Most underated artist/maker?
Catherine Vanier. Potter (Burgundy, France). Outstanding maker. Hugely demanding of herself. Wildly imaginative decorator of ceramics.

Most overated artist/maker? Why?
Grayson Perry. Rotten, tedious artist. Outstanding talker and teacher! Take your pick!

If you could exhibit in any gallery which would it be?
Goldmark Gallery, Rutland.