Hello, my name is Jodie Bastow

I am a potter, painter and artist intrigued by the unconscious part of the self and working with my dreams to access this.

Universal ideas of beginnings, endings and cycles and how everything has a season inspire me to convey these complex ideas in tangible, interactive objects.

My hope is that my work inspires discussion and reflection in the viewer, as it does for me whilst I am making it. The goal of the work it to ask the viewer to contemplate who they are in their unconscious and how this shapes the way they live their life.

My Process

I make intuitive drawings inspired by the themes that I am researching. These highlight the transient and passing nature of the ideas that I look at, like dreams, cycles and growth.

I throw on the wheel and use hand made roulettes to add texture. One of the elements unique to my work are the skirts around my pieces. I create these by throwing a section of the base and warping it with my finger.

I fire the pieces using various methods and aim to hone the specifics of my crafts when I set up my workshop in Devon. This should bring a consistency to the work that allows it to speak to who I am.

I love the process of making and I believe this is where the magic happens. There is a conversation between me and the clay that allows my conscious mind to switch off and my unconscious to shine through. Because of this, I have certain breathing exercises and rituals that I perform to get me in the right state of mind.

Education and Experiences

  • 2022- 2025

    Contemporary Design Crafts (BA)

    Spending this time in Hereford was transformational for my practice. I evolved from working mainly with textiles to transitioning to clay. As soon as I tried the wheel I knew it was for me.

    HCA is a place for growth. The small class sizes ensure that you can have help and guidance whenever you need it and you can really get to know your tutors and cohort.

    Having a desk space is absolutely invaluable, a real home to place your work and research. It evolves as you do and it allows you to have a respectful separation from your work when you are at home. I found this instrumental in my development as a maker.

    However, there is not explicit throwing teaching at HCA so I had to find this elsewhere at Wobage with Jeremy Steward and with additional tuition from Melanie Brown. These independently sourced teachers really shaped my work in the final year.

    Hereford College of Arts has allowed me the space to grow over these three years. I am grateful for this opportunity and the way it has shaped who I am.

  • 2021-2022

    An incredible time working at this renowned weaving company. Such a brilliant team and work environment both in London and at the Lancashire Mill.

    This experience truly shaped who I am today and how I engage with others in a work environment. Whilst also teaching me the joy of being a practicing craftsperson. I extend a massive thank you to everyone at Wallace and Sewell for their patience, professionalism and welcoming environment.

    The magic of weave is something that still inspires me and I hope to return to in my work. It is a profound parallel to the woven nature of our reality.

  • 2017 - 2021

    What an inspiring place. The people here are fantastic, so dedicated to encouraging growth in young artists.

    I have so much to thank the BRIT School for. As an institution it really wholeheartedly allows space to make mistakes, and as a result fosters an environment of growth and exploration.

    This was a pivotal place for me and I am eternally grateful to all the wonderful friends and amazing teachers I met here. I really cannot recommend it enough.