Saskia Praamsma
stop no. 11
Saskia grew up in Amsterdam, the daughter of a potter and a well-known known Dutch writer. When she was four years old her mother had a pottery studio in the attic, looking over the rooftops and chimneys of Amsterdam. Clay has been part of her life ever since. She has lived in six countries and travelled extensively but now has her home and studio in Clayton village.
Praamsma, a long-time professional ceramics teacher and technician, describes her work as round pots, square pots, oval pots, large jars, all with textures, creatures in animal or human form, as well as cactus and sea urchin-inspired pieces.
“Why do I work with clay? I love smearing, pinching and rolling clay. The feel of clay is soothing… love that when a piece is fired and hard, like stone, you can still see the softness of the clay. And I cannot stop doing it. My love story. People have asked me ‘Where do you get your ideas; you must be addicted to drugs?’ I say: ‘No, I am addicted to clay!’ I start with a form and ideas pop up… and I try them out. The more you do it, the more ideas you get.”
Crown and Pumpkin 