Jo Gifford works in porcelain making small vessel based non-functional objects of a size relating to the hand. They are meticulously worked with a pattern hand carved into their external surface sometimes piercing the integrity of the walls.
Jo’s work explores ideas around boundaries, containment and categorisation. With the thrown vessel as a starting point she works with porcelain to provide a physical presence for her ideas to take shape; the hands on act of making is integral to this while also allowing the processes and material have their say. She is fascinated by the containing function of the vessel and its connotations with the body, where external surface and shape are often the defining characteristic rather than what is contained.
Jo takes inspiration from the natural world especially the naturally occurring shapes and patterns. She is interested in how we have developed our knowledge and understanding and in doing so often categorise and label based on certain visible characteristics; effecting how we perceive and judge what is around us. She plays with the expectations and assumptions of the viewer, encouraging them to look more closely and question what they are seeing.