Nicola Gillis
Nicola Gillis is a Brighton-based ceramicist specialising in functional tableware. Her work is inspired by East Asian traditions, where each vessel has a specific purpose and pleasure is found in its individuality rather than uniformity. Embracing imperfection, Nicola does not seek to replicate exact sizes or marks, allowing subtle variations to remain part of the making process.
Shadows and light observed on daily walks throughout the seasons, along with the beauty of degraded surfaces and natural patina, also inform her practice. She marks her ceramics with oxides or wax resist, often taking inspiration from the simplest brushstrokes or patterns encountered in everyday life.
Originally working on the wheel, Nicola has since expanded her practice to include hand-building techniques such as slab work, carving and coiling. She finds this slower, more thoughtful approach allows for a deeper connection to the material and a more considered pace of making.
WORKS
A hand-thrown stoneware teapot by British ceramicist Nicola Gillis, featuring an abstract print applied to the surface. Made in 2025, the piece is formed using an iron-rich, flecked clay and finished with an ash wood glaze, producing subtle variations in texture and tone.
Nicola Gillis is a Brighton-based ceramicist who has worked with clay for over a decade. Her practice is informed by her local environment, with materials often sourced from East Sussex. The use of ash wood glaze and abstract printed decoration highlights the natural qualities of the clay and contributes to the individual character of each piece.
Origin: British
Period/Style: Contemporary
Date: 2025
Material: Glazed stoneware
Dimensions: 20cm height × 22cm width (approximate)
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A hand-thrown stoneware beaker finished in a layered dolomite and black glaze. Designed for everyday use, the form is understated and functional, intended to accompany quiet rituals of eating and drinking. Each piece balances utility with a focus on material presence and touch.
Nicola Gillis is a Brighton-based ceramicist who has worked with clay for over a decade. Her practice is informed by her local environment, with materials often sourced from East Sussex. The use of ash wood glaze and abstract printed decoration highlights the natural qualities of the clay and contributes to the individual character of each vessel.
As each beaker is handmade, slight variations in form, glaze and dimensions are part of the making process and are intended.
Origin: British
Period/Style: Contemporary Studio Pottery
Date: 2025
Material: Glazed stoneware
Dimensions: Approx. 8cm height × 9cm width
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