Lucie Rie

I always knew I'd be taking the day off on my birthday, so planned to visit the V&A as I had never had chance to explore the Ceramics department. It was far, far more impressive then I had ever imagined it to be and extremely inspiring.                                                                                          

Another trip is planned there armed with sketchbook and camera next time. The most memorable part of the visit was spotting a recreation of a humble little workshop in the residency room of the top floor collection. Lucie Rie was working in her studio until the age of 85. She was originally from Vienna and moved to London in 1938 after training at the Kunstgewerbeschule. 

Lucie Rie still producing work in 1988 (pictured for The Guardian)

I love the shapes she created and Sgraffito technique that I have been researching, to create the vertical and sometimes horizontal lines. Another recent ceramicist who uses this technique in a different way is Tiffany Scull, who applies using a more decorative application.

Lucie Rie was very creative with glazes and perfected her style over the many years she worked. In a short V&A video, she is interviewed by David Attenborough. You get the impression she hasn't left her wheel for decades - a work ethic I would like to emulate! The classic pieces have amazingly subtle colour contrasts, especially with the use of golds, pastels and black lines.