Nerikomi: Patterns in Colored Clay

Artist list

Ben Davies, Barbara Gittings, Thomas Hoadley, David Pottinger, Henk Wolvers

Rooted in the Japanese technique of nerikomi—from neri, “to knead,” and komi, “to press into”—this practice weaves color directly into clay. Layers of pigmented earth are composed, compressed, and cut to reveal rhythmic geometries and unexpected symmetries. These are not glazes painted on, but secrets unearthed from within. The result is not mere surface decoration but a deeply integrated design, motifs that pulse with rhythm, repetition, and spontaneous surprise.

The artists in this exhibition are not merely potters, they are patternmakers, alchemists of clay, and cartographers of form.

For American artist Thomas Hoadley, whose vessels seem to hum with harmonic vibration, nerikomi is an ongoing inquiry into geometry and gesture. British artist Barbara Gittings embraces the joyful unpredictability of the process, revealing patterns that resemble quilt work or natural strata. Australian artist David Pottinger’s work is a testament to the method’s architectural potential, with complex tessellations and layered illusions that pull the eye deep into the vessel’s skin. Dutch artist Henk Wolvers conjures movement from stillness, his softly undulating designs recalling wood grain, water, and woven textiles. And British artist Ben Davies draws upon the slow, deliberate rhythm of the process to create pieces that feel both ancient and freshly formed, works in which every slice is a revelation.

Nerikomi reveals the tension between precision and spontaneity, symmetry and chaos, order and imperfection. Each vessel, sculpture, and form become a meditation on the passage of time, on nature's mysterious patterns, and on the hand that shapes them.


Opening Reception on September 12 at Patina Gallery, with a reception from 5 to 7pm and a chance to meet artists Thomas Hoadley and Ben Davies.
Opening hours: 12 - 30 September 2025; Monday - Sunday, 11am - 5pm.