Tom Kemp

Ceramicist

Striking ceramics

Tom unites ceramics and ancient calligraphy
His works are writings without language
He teaches his brain through his hands

Tom Kemp describes himself as being a self-taught artist working with two different crafts: calligraphy and pottery. When he was still working in theoretical computer science, he studied the brush techniques of ancient Roman signwriters. “I became fascinated by the square-edged brush when I saw someone using one in a very free way, brushing water onto a dusty blackboard. Something about the shiny, huge, elegant black strokes was very appealing.” A weekend pottery class got him hooked on ceramics but it was only once he started selling his first pieces that he decided to take the plunge, change careers and open his own studio. Inspired by any ancient writing and pottery, his pieces are an expression of flow manifested in circular shapes and large brush strokes.

Interview

What are your special skills?: My specialism with a brush is the particular script known as 'Trajan'. It was used to write the large inscription at the base of the Trajan Column in Rome, Italy, in about 113 CE.
Can you tell us a memorable moment in your professional life?: The first time I sold a vase was really strange. Someone I did not know wanted something I had made for a reason which was entirely different to the reason I had made it. I understood something at that moment about the relationship between artist and audience.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: I use traditional ceramic forms because they help me understand the physics involved in creating large, circular shapes. On the other hand, my calligraphic work has evolved to concentrate on the performance of writing without language.
What advice would you give to a young craftsperson?: Make sure you really enjoy learning what you do and that you are okay with it taking a very long time to learn to do it well enough. Craft is a teaching of the body, and the body learns very slowly. If you put the hours in, you will become good enough.

Tom Kemp is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2013