Ceramic artist, educator, and creative consultant



Helen’s practice spans over three decades of making, teaching, and mentoring within the ceramic arts. Known for her playful precision and deep material understanding, she works across art, education, and consultancy, helping others unlock their own ideas through process.

Her ceramic artwork explores the relationships between plaster, porcelain, and surface — combining technical skill with a curiosity for how materials record time, touch, and transformation.

In teaching, Helen blends experimentation with technical skill, encouraging curiosity, conversation, and hands-on learning.

“ Three decades of working hands-on with clay, plaster, and porcelain — teaching, consulting, and experimenting along the way "

Some words about me…

A woman with short brown hair smiling with her hand resting on her head, sitting beside a sculpture made of white, layered ribbons.

I’ve always loved materials and experimenting, seeing what you can make from whatever’s at hand. In my childhood, I made my own clay substitute from flour and water, used scraps of whatever materials I could find. I think that resourcefulness never left me. I’m still hands-on, practical, and always up for trying something new.

My path into clay was part rebellion, part instinct. I took an evening pottery class while studying maths and sciences for A Level, mostly to escape all the academic logic. When I discovered plaster and mould-making, something just clicked. The idea that you could make your own tool and shape a form from it felt like magic.

I first trained in ceramics in the 1990s, learning the discipline of model and mould making and how to balance precision with play. After years of making, teaching and running Yoyo Ceramics, I returned to study for my MA at the Royal College of Art, which gave me space to re-examine my practice, to see how traditional craft and contemporary thinking could sit side by side.

Now my work moves between plaster and porcelain, surface and structure, art and design. I cast, colour, and construct, often exploring what happens in the space between control and chance. Teaching runs alongside my studio practice. I love problem-solving with others, showing them possibilities, helping them work things out through making, see others be excited by process.

  • 2024
    Be Still Media
    Winner - Prompt 23 People’s Choice for Inside Out, USA

    2023
    Blanc De Chine International Ceramic Art Award
    Shortlisted - China

    2022
    Hari Art Prize
    Shortlisted - A Space for Art, UK

    2020
    Heritage Crafts Association
    Finalist - Presidential Award for Endangered Crafts, UK

    Zsu Zsi Roboz Scholarship
    Artist award for developing work within Morley College gallery exhibition

    2018
    Franz Rising Star
    Award for works in porcelain, Taiwan

    Anglo Swedish Society
    Scholarship - Konstfack Art School residency, Stockholm

    2017
    Bloomberg X Fosters & Partners X RCA
    Finalist - New HQ Installation competition

  • 2025
    WowHous collaboration with Brigitta Spinocchia Freun & Imagin, London 

    2024
    Blanc de Chine ICAA 2023-24 shortlisted artist exhibitor, Hangzhou China.
    Ceramic Art London Olympia London, curated by the CPA 

    2023
    H.O.P 2023, London, curated by Preston Fitzgerald

    2022
    Leave the Road. Take the Trail Xenia Artist in Residency Show, Hampshire
    Powder. Bone. Cloud AH Studio, London
    Material Matters Oxo Barge house , London, curated by Grant Gibson,

    2021
    Figuratively Speaking Zsuzsi Roboz Scholarship, Morley Gallery, London

    2019
    British Ceramics Biennale Spode Factory Works, Stoke on Trent, UK

    2018
    European Ceramic Context 2018 Grønbechs Gaard, Bornholm, Denmark
    Make, Shift, Collyer Bristow Gallery, London

    2017
    Biophilia III Elements KI Europe, London
    Dark Side of the Moon Hexagon Design Classic, London
    Affordable Art Fair Stockholm Gas Gallery, Stockholm 
    The Emerging and the Established Christie’s Auction House, London

  • Central St Martins School of Art, Kings X London, 2021- ongoing
    Associate Lecturer  

    Morley College London, 2018 -2022
    Senior Tutor Ceramics HND (0.4)  

    The Kiln Rooms, 2018-2020
    Ceramics Teacher Short Courses/Specialist Workshop Delivery 

    Middlesex University, 2018-2020
    Visiting Lecturer, Craft & Design BA Hons  

    Regents University London, 2011- 2015
    Course Leader (acting) - Creative Industries BA Hons  

    Regents Business School London, 2006-2011
    Module Leader - Global Management, Design Management BA Hons Subjects taught: Creative Behaviour, Innovation, Creativity and the Entrepreneur  

    Buckinghamshire University College, 1999-2006
    Visiting Lecturer - Multidisciplinary 3D Design BA Hons
    Project Tutor - Contemporary Furniture BA Hons  
    Subjects taught: Casting and Moulding

  • 2025
    Montcalm Hotel Mayfair
    2.5 x 1.5m hand carved plaster mural with Petra Børner, installed (foyer)

    Jonathan Baldock
    Production moulds for ceramic elements for Wyrd, Jupiters Ballroom Gallery

    2024
    Soho House
    70 bespoke handmade lamp bases for TLF London

    2023
    Kettles Yard Artists Buttons
    Development and production for Jonathan Andersen & Rana Begum

    Roe Restaurant, Canary Wharf
    Coral plaster wall installation for Fab Pub  

    2021
    Virgin Voyages
    Porcelain Sculpture Installation, The Wake Restaurant for Volume Creative

  • Artist in Residence, China, 2025
    Menlo Studio Jingdezhen, professional practitioner and workshop leader

    Arts4 Dementia, Cockpit London, 2024
    Creative workshops held at Cockpit Studios London

    Turquoise Mountain Charity, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia, 2020
    Ceramic specialist/workshop delivery

    Centrepoint, London, 2019 - 2020
    Volunteer Ceramic workshops for evening social group 16-24 yrs old

    Crafts Council Make Your Future, London, 2017 -2019
    Specialist Educator, London secondary schools 

    ReachOut RCA X Westminster Academy, London, 2017
    Digital ceramic/print workshops 

    Cultural Exchange Work, British Council, 2013 & 2014
    Handmade Chiang Mai Project, Thailand, devising and delivery of Business and Creative workshops, Vietnam  


    Consultancy/Mentoring
    UAL Professional Alumni Mentoring ongoing since 2019
    British Ceramics Biennial Talent  Development Mentor, 2024
    Ladies Who L-Earn, Hackney, Voluntary Mentor
    Prince Trust Creative Start Up Mentor


  • Education

    MA Ceramics & Glass, Royal College of Art, London, 2015-2017

    PGCertHE, Buckinghamshire University, 2001

    Ceramics and Jewellery BA Hons Middlesex University, 1991-1995  


    Ceramics & Material Skills

    Yoyo Ceramics, Founder, 1998-2016
    Designer, maker, manufacture management, licensing, consultant, freelance  model and mould maker  

    Shepperton Film Studios Model maker, 1997-1999
    Lost in space, The New Avengers, Entrapment: sculpting, casting,  modelling.  

    CP Ceramics, London Professional model and mould maker, 1995-1997
    Various clients including Sebastian Conran and Habitat  

Explore Workshops
View Portfolio