This pot is inspired by the history of ceramic artists who have employed humour into their work. Displayed in the Napoli Archeological Museum sit priceless Roman artefacts which demystify the technology, economy, law and social life of people who lived 2,000 years ago. Alongside them are ceramic phalluses, a tiled Kama Sutra-esque ‘menu’ of sex positions from a brothel and a multitude of penis pots. Centuries later, the art world has a slight shock as Duchamp plonks down a urinal, which is of course ceramic, and calls that art too. Even as we look at contemporary exhibitions such as ‘Strange Clay’ at the Hayward Gallery in 2022, amongst works heavy with emotion and absorbing conceptual grounding, is an octopus in a toilet and a collection of Grayson Perry’s satirical urns. It’s clear that funny ceramics have become an integral part of museum and gallery collections, subverting and mocking places traditionally associated with seriousness.

    Group Works