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Val Sparkes
A history of Val Sparkes pottery
Val Sparkes retired recently in 2018, after over 30 years as a ceramist. We asked Val if she could describe her career, so in Val's own words:
Val Sparkes studied ceramics at Bristol Polytechnic graduating in 1981. Apart from a couple of years abroad, and a teacher training course in Brighton, she has worked in the world of ceramics ever since.
In 1993 Val established The Pottery at Danestream Farm, situated on the edge of the New Forest just a couple of miles from the sea, where, until May 2018 she made hand thrown, decorative, earthenware pots.
Much of Val’s work reflects her love of the countryside and sea, with popular designs including the blue & white 'tiptoe' farm animal series and the 30s inspired ‘trees & sky’ pattern.
Later work explores the technique of transfer printing with pots inspired by BBC Radio 4’s shipping forecast, including jugs and boat shaped containers for olives or salt.
Over the years, Val has drawn inspiration from many sources, historic and contemporary, but her methods remain rooted in the traditions of the ‘country potter’.
Identification of Val Sparkes pottery
Val Sparkes Medium Falmouth Fishing Boat Olive Dish
A handmade, studio pottery design inspired by British coastal fishing boats, with registration code 'FH36'. New.
Sold.
Val Sparkes Medium Penzance Fishing Boat Olive Dish
A handmade, colourful, studio pottery design inspired by British coastal fishing boats, with registration code 'PZ32'. New.
Sold.
Val Sparkes Small Portsmouth Fishing Boat Olive Dish
A handmade, studio pottery design inspired by British coastal fishing boats, carrying registration code 'PO19'. New.
€18.00
Val Sparkes Large Poole Fishing Boat Olive Dish
A handmade, studio pottery design inspired by British coastal fishing boats and carrying registration code 'PE27'. New.
Sold.
Val Sparkes Large Portsmouth Fishing Boat Olive Dish
A handmade, colourful, studio pottery design inspired by British coastal fishing boats, with registration code 'PO25'. New.
€24.00
Val Sparkes Large Cowes Fishing Boat Olive Dish
A handmade, colourful, studio pottery design inspired by British coastal fishing boats, with registration code 'CS9'. New.
Sold.
Val Sparkes Small Shipping Forecast Jug
A handmade, colourful studio pottery jug inspired by the BBC Radio weather forecast. New.
Sold.
Val Sparkes Medium Shipping Forecast Jug
A handmade, colourful design inspired by the traditional British radio shipping forecast. New.
Sold.
Val Sparkes Shipping Forecast Large Jug
A handmade, colourful, studio pottery design inspired by the BBC Radio shipping forecast. New.
Sold.
Val Sparkes Tiptoe Cat Bowl
A blue and white, hand-made, studio pottery bowl decorated with a cheeky cat. Second-hand.
€21.00