Newby is always seeking ways to support London’s thriving cultural scene and share the story of the craft of fine tea. As the official tea partner for Craft Central’s Made In Clerkenwell open studios, we’re thrilled to be joining a host of designer-makers in our local area to serve our luxury teas this May. A visit to the Craft Central studios is an eye-opening experience offering a behind-the-scenes look at how beautiful objects, homewares and ornaments are made and an opportunity to meet the makers and shop directly from them. We caught up with ceramicist IKUKO Iwamoto, one of the inspiring designer-makers working at the Craft Central studios, to find out more about her unique work, her motivations, recommendations and what to expect from Made In Clerkenwell this May…

IKUKO, what led you to pursue a career in craft?

Back in Japan, my art teacher told me that I had no talent for drawing and painting, so I decided to go for 3D work and eventually ended up taking ceramic course in a women’s college, where I started doing throwing clay and making sculptures. I started making tableware and household objects after encountering porcelain clay and learning slip-casting as part of my MA course at Royal College of Art here in London.

Your work blends delicate vessels with unique tactile surfaces and you often make beautiful teapots and cups. Tell us a little about it…

The tactile nature of a piece is something I always take into account when creating tableware. During my MA course I did some research into the experiences of visually impaired people and since then, the feeling of one’s hands when they come into contact with the work has become something I consider with every object I make. The pile-up dotting technique I often use for decoration stemmed from this research too.

Talk us through your creative process and how you make a piece…

I often find inspiration in the microscopic world and occasionally look for microscopic images in magazines and online, considering how I can translate their elements into my work. Rather than sketching anything out, I’ll generally start carving plaster model straight away to see what will happen. Then, if I like the model, I create a plaster mould. Once the slip-casting has been done, I add some decorations to the piece such as dotting, spikes, holes and so on.

How do you take your tea and what’s your favourite blend?

I have a very simple teapot, which I bought at Tate Modern, however I am usually in a hurry so most of the time I’ll use a tea bag in a cup. My favourite blend has to be Assam.

Are there any spaces or events you would recommend seeing in London or the UK?

I recommend the Josef Frank exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey. It runs until 7th May and showcases a wonderful range of vibrant modernist patterns and fabrics by the architect and designer. I also like the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow and the Welcome Trust museum in Euston.

Finally, where can we find you and see your work this spring?

At Sway Gallery, located at 70-72 Old Street until 29th April. And of course, at the Made In Clerkenwell spring open studios at Craft Central. The event runs from 11th – 14th May at 22-25 St John’s Square and you can find me in studio number 51 where I create all my work. 

Click here to win a handmade tea service by IKUKO and a Newby gift set.