Culture

Five questions with artist Anna Barlow

We caught up with London City Island-based ceramics artist Anna Barlow,
whose playful sculptures explore the rituals of food and decadent desserts.

Your studio is on City Island, tell us about your commute?
I treasure my walk from Canning Town tube station. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing the water as I escape the station; every day it’s different depending on the light. I especially love the low tide. Being an artist who uses clay, I am fascinated by the mud formations left behind, the earthy smell and all the little footprints tracking paths by the river birds.

What is the ambiance like around your studio?
It’s a very calm space. I am addicted to Radio 4 and my Audible account, so there is always a voice rumbling away. My studio looks directly over the river. Throughout the day, it’s lovely to observe the changing light over the water, the changing of the tides, the birds and the odd boat!

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“My studio looks directly over the river. Throughout the day, it’s lovely to observe the changing light over the water, the changing of the tides, the birds and the odd boat!”

ANNA BARLOW

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What do you find inspiring about your surroundings?
I cross the big red bridge, which cuts such a brilliant contrast among its natural surroundings. I’ve always loved bright colours, so I really appreciate the vibrancy of the architecture on City Island — it kind of makes me think of LEGO sets.

Can you tell us about the materials you use?
I use many types of clay, from a low-firing white earthenware, to high-fired black clay to beautiful translucent bone china. I also spend a lot of time working with glaze and coloured slips that I mix myself. I get all my materials from a supplier called Ceramatech in North London.

How do you stay creative?
I’m always looking at new cakes and sugary things, as well as how and when people would eat them – there is always an interesting drama to be found in cake. I am also inspired by new materials available, or tools that I can find. A lot of my tools are actually for cake decorating – one of my favorite shops is Party Party in Dalston, which has every type of icing cutter.

Words by Bridget Arsenault
Photography by Jose Esteve