I started pottery when I was 17 years old but I was also a young mum and had two children so I wasn’t able to spend as much time doing pottery as I would have liked. It wasn’t until 2005 when I started wood firing that it all became a new start for me. During this year I conducted a workshop ‘Building a kiln for wood firing use’ which the German Potter Association helped me to organise. Fred Olson built and design the kiln which then started to become my real teacher.
My aim was to try to make pots for using, to develop this objective I was very lucky to have the opportunity to come to the UK to work together with Nic Collins as his assistant and to help Svend Bayer with his firing.
I put all of my love into my work and I try to make new pieces for everyday use. I hope that people can enjoy their meals eating out of my pots. The last few years I have had a strong connection with a Japanese potter Takashi Nagazato. He introduced me to the Japanese way of life and the way in which they use little dishes and teapots during meal time. This has really influenced my life and what I produce.
At Art in Clay 2014 Susanne was voted the winner of the Valentine Clays Peers Award for best contribution to the festival by fellow exhibitors. To read our interview with Susanne click here.