Johanne Coker

I came to pottery via a rather complicated route that involved a degree in Maths and becoming a Solicitor, before finding myself in Singapore, newly married and spending every day sitting by the pool! Not everyone’s idea of a bad life, but after a while it became pretty dull and I needed a new interest. With vague but fond memories of making ashtrays at school and having always enjoyed all forms of craft, I set out to find a local potter to teach me to throw, and I was lucky enough to stumble across Lim Meng Khuang. At his studio, away from the hustle and bustle of ex-pat life, I learnt to throw and my obsession with the wheel was born.

After our return to London, I took various courses, including one at City Lit, where I met Lisa Hammond, who agreed to help me to progress further, and I spent a day a week out of the office and in her studio, practising on the wheel.

The birth of our son put things on hold for several years, but after he started school, I searched for access to a wheel and threw my first piece of porcelain at Richmond Adult Education college, under the tutelage of Emma Johnstone. I have been obsessed with the purity and beauty of porcelain ever since and rarely work with anything else.

In December 2009, I heard that a studio had become available at Diesel House Studios in Kew Bridge Steam Museum, and I took up residence there soon afterwards. It is a fantastic place full of all sorts of people producing all manner of wonderful things and well worth a visit!