22.01.19. Maker’s studio, London

Edmund de Waal is that rarest of creatures, a potter who has broken out of the crafts world into the fine art market. He also happens to be a best-selling author of books such as The Hare with Amber Eyes and The White Road: a pilgrimage of sorts as well as a lucid and thoughtful speaker and curator. His work has been shown around the world in places such as the RA, Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum, the V&A and the Ateneo Veneto in Venice. His first set design featured in the 2017/18 Season at the Royal Opera House for Yugen, a new ballet by choreographer Wayne McGregor.

In this episode we talk about a childhood he has described as ‘odd’ (the Pope and Princess Diana both came to the house but not at the same time, apparently); the relationship between making and writing; dealing with critics; and why some pots are ‘needy’. The thread running through it all is his love of the white stuff – in his case, porcelain.

Find out more about Edmund de Waal

Diary of a long year was created in 2016.

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Atmen was first seen in 2019.

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A detail from Diary of a long year.

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Somewhere and somewhen, 2019. Images: Mike Bruce.

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