Coils of Clay

Astrid’s fingers fell in love with clay while studying Fine Art. Ever since, carefully placed coils of clay have defied gravity and been transformed into sculptural ceramics by her hands and imagination. “It has taken 26 years of practice to know at what point you can add another coil that will hold. I see a little movement and hold my breath. There are often heart-stopping moments before the final form emerges, because I know it can break at any point,” she shares.

Throughout her career as a ceramic artist, Astrid has played with the flexible nature of pure clay, experimenting with different techniques to express the possibilities of the material. Her art is grounded in strong practice instilled by her incredible teacher, Henny Stroebel: “He transferred his love of ceramics to me. I am grateful that he was placed in my path to guide me on this journey.” Astrid’s inspiration comes from the natural world – light and shadow, seeds, sound, flowers, found objects and colour – particularly the landscapes that surround her studio in Nottingham Road. “I don’t try to recreate something exactly; I simply allow my hands to receive the inspiration. My pieces are more a feeling of the natural form. I use the language of clay to express this in a way that makes words superfluous,” she explains.

Might this be described as a conversation with a block of clay?

Quietly, Astrid spends hours coiling, shaping and sanding, working with balance and tension to allow the natural forms to find their voice. It is a slow, meditative process which creates vessels that feel grown rather than made. Always trying to find perfection, she admits that each piece is driven by her hunger to create something unique. Fortunately, she is disciplined and happy to work hard, even in winter when her hands are dry from constant washing. “This work is my medicine. Each day, my hands are shaping something that did not exist yesterday. This medium of clay has limitless potential.” Astrid creates in black and white, despite loving colour. Her intention is to celebrate the purity of the natural material and allow the artworks to respond dramatically to the changing light. Although the ceramic sculptures are heavy and not easy to break, the pieces evoke lightness and fragility. “Sure, the edges of petals can chip if they are roughly handled, but I recall once trying to smash a piece and the hammer just bounced off the body,” she says.

While her studio is a calm, bright workspace, her home is filled with Persian rugs, Murano glass, old paintings, dogs and flowers. Her wardrobe of vintage finds reflects the rainbow. Astrid is grateful for her life in the Midlands, where she can provide for her family doing something that she loves. “I hope one day when I have fewer responsibilities, to swim in all the oceans of the world, to spot my pieces in unusual places, visit famous galleries and surreptitiously add to my glass collection, because one can never have enough glass,” she laughs.