My Journey

I’m Chris Lloyd (CeramicsxCL) based in Farnham, Surrey. I have AuDHD – Autism with ADHD, so for me, life is hectic when my order is thrown. But otherwise I am as capable as any other person – and more often than not – more so than the alternative, but in short bursts…

My career in the ceramic industry started with mopping the studio floors at CLAY at The Farnham Pottery in the mornings late in 2023, but progressed through to loading the kilns within three months (approx. 63,000L of kilns/yr), to becoming the glaze technician before the end of 18 months.

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In 2024 – I also launched my own ceramics, following an accidental – yet momentous, for me – private message from Curt Hammerly to answer a question a member and I had about the shrinkage of a hole.

“So, does it shrink: out, in or stay put…?”, but that then led to me being able to ask a few structured questions over the course of a 3hrs exchange. I never thought when I started, that I would actually sell my own work.

Initially I created a basic range of 250ml cups, but that has – over time – progressed, in terms of: multiple sizes, shapes and glazing. With that being further enhanced, with a range of: champagne flutes and gin tumblers.

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Porcelain is my preference, because it allows me the ability to utilise its translucent properties, whilst at the same time offering the purest white backdrop to enable more subtle contrasting with reduced glaze.

In terms of influences, structurally I would say brutalist, modernist – ‘concrete and glass’ architecture.

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In terms of style and reference points, it can vary depending on the intended result – but, in terms of design and aesthetics: Liberty, Orrefors and Eames.

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In terms of colour use: early Van Gogh – A Starry Night over the Rhoñe (pictured) was a study of painting at night from a pillbox by candlelight and offers great definition of that. Other influences include Banksy and Hockney. Each of these examples highlights different ways in which contrast can be used to define the reference. The lightsource is highlighted. The Gazelle is highlighted. The pool is highlighted.

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In terms of ceramics: the original influence was the illy Art Collection and I was encouraged to sell my own work by a random message exchange with Curt Hammerly, but I also admire Steve Cook’s use of mixed materials and general aesthetics, and Ali Tomlin’s subtle to stark use of contrast – here black doodle, but also in the use of vivid and more tempered greens on other pieces.

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