A bespoke workshop in the heart of Cornwall. Ann Thomas’s studio is an ascetic space, white-washed, pared-back, free of frippery, where everything has its use and its place.

Dotting the shelves in groupings of twos and threes are Thomas’s current work in progress. Porcelain vessels, some glazed, some not, some yet to be fired. A limited palette of sharp contrast, by the window stand three vessels, two a blue-tinged iridescent white against the third, its clay enriched with iron, a deep peaty black.

For all its slow contemplativeness, Thomas’s placing, and constant rearranging of her pots has a ritualistic, intensity to it. Forming relationships between colour, texture and shape, clearly matters to her. For, in spite of their gorgeous tactility, these are essentially forms to look at and meditate upon.

The clusters of pots along the back wall shelves reveal Thomas, a master thrower, eschewing perfection, the clay rough hewn though transient. Here, otherwise flawless vessels have been torn, cut or riveted together. As with all Thomas’s work, the interventions are subtle, tender. The edges of the rips and tears are touched with gold leaf, with crimson. And the black stoneware, with all its possibilities for smooth, lean surfaces, heavy with iron, is rendered rough.

A misting Cornish rain is fogging the window. True to the tenet of accepting imperfection of melancholy, yet serene spirituality, Thomas’s current practice is potent with longing.

Ellen Bell