Jennifer Hickey

Porcelain maker

©Jennifer Hickey

When patience pays off

Jennifer loves the purity of unglazed porcelain
Abstract painter Agnes Martin is an inspiration
She considers craftsmanship 'important for the soul'

Jennifer Hickey always wanted to make things with her hands. Brought up in a family fascinated by fashion, she went to art college in her native Dublin with a view to exploring textiles. But during the course she was introduced to ceramics and simply “fell for it”. She particularly loved the ethereal properties of porcelain, and has used it ever since. Jennifer now makes sculptures inspired by the detail inherent in the natural world around her. Each takes months to make, being comprised of hundreds or thousands of individual elements, sewn together with translucent thread, a process that takes delicacy, discipline and endless patience.

Interview

How does nature inspire you?: Living in the beauty and isolation of the west of Ireland has had an important impact on my work. It allows me to observe and appreciate the influence of the changing seasons as they pass. I am drawn to the beauty and subtlety of the natural world, and my work investigates the rhythms and movement of nature and my relationship with it.
What is your making process like?: Each of my sculptures is made from thousands of tiny, wafer-thin fired porcelain pieces. These are made by hand-working the porcelain to a fine, almost paper-thin finish. I then apply texture before piercing each piece and high firing it in the kiln. Finally, I sew the pieces onto a tulle fabric over a porcelain sculptural form.
What appeals about the repetitive nature of your work?: The repetitive process of creating my work can feel like a form of mindfulness. I become fully immersed in the making process, and over time there is a peacefulness that comes with it all.
What do you love most about what you do?: I love being able to express ideas and emotions in porcelain. There is something magical about taking raw materials and transforming them into something meaningful.

Jennifer Hickey is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2002