Adela Powell ceramics
Adela Powell was a devoted naturalist and an endlessly skilful and experimental ceramicist. She finished finished the work in this show with a passionate fascination before she died last year. We are glad to continue to hold stock of her work.
As a young woman, she studied natural sciences at university and made a habit throughout her life of observing the natural world, including the effects of nature on manmade items that wash up on our beaches and rivers. Much of her work, particularly her Shell Forms speak of fragility and permanence, contrasting the smoothest sensuous insides with beautiful textured exteriors.
Her glazes are layered deep, dripped and crackled, with areas of shiny rich colour abutting chalky semi-transparent over-glazes. Her effects were created using oxides and multiple glazes. Sometimes she would press a pebble into a pot and wait to see what colours it would release in the kiln.
Scroll down for jars and bowls at the end.
Adela Powell’s ceramics are inspired by the sea and coastal landscape. She searches for universal patterns, textures and forms in nature, where science and art are inseparable. Her method is experimental and different every time. She uses various clays including mud from the Dorset coast and the Tamar River. Sometimes she incorporates other material she finds at the water’s edge, both organic and inorganic. The inherent tactile and textural qualities of clay are enhanced with many layers of oxides, slips and glazes which she fires to 1265 degrees C in an electric kiln after a bisque firing in a gas kiln.
She was a professional potter for many years. Born in the Wirral, Cheshire, she read Natural Sciences at Liverpool University. She later attended Plymouth College of Art whilst bringing up her young family. A move to Cornwall over 30 years ago had a great impact on her work. The natural environments of coast, moorland and river valleys influenced her in many ways which can clearly be seen in her forms and colours. Her techniques, including mark-making, found materials and many layers, produce a visual layering evocative of erosion, decay and the passing of time.
1. Brown Shell Form. H16 x W44cm. £1,800 
1. Brown Shell Form. H16 x W44cm. £1,800 
2. Blue Shell Form H15 x W50.5cm £2,000 
2. Blue Shell Form H15 x W50.5cm £2,000 
4. River Bowl H12.5 x Dia 45cm £1,500 
4. River Bowl H12.5 x Dia 45cm £1,500 
6. Large Seed Bottle H39.5 x W48 x D20cm £850 
6. Large Seed Bottle H39.5 x W48 x D20cm £850 
7. Tall Rock Form Container H36.5 x W24 x D21cm. £850 
7. Tall Rock Form Container H36.5 x W24 x D21cm. £850 
8. White Encrusted Bottle H25 x Dia 8cm £190 
8. White Encrusted Bottle H25 x Dia 8cm £190 
11. Sake Flask Smooth H16 x Dia 11.5cm £155 
11. Sake Flask Smooth H16 x Dia 11.5cm £155 
13. Flattened Vase. H27.5 x W18 x D8cm. £450 
13. Flattened Vase. H27.5 x W18 x D8cm. £450 
16. Can Form H24.5 x W20 x D8cm £550 
16. Can Form H24.5 x W20 x D8cm £550 
17. Can Form H22.5 x W13.5 x D6cm £450 
17. Can Form H22.5 x W13.5 x D6cm £450 
18. Medium Can Form H22.5 x W15.5 x D7cm £450 
18. Medium Can Form H22.5 x W15.5 x D7cm £450 
133. Small Medium Can Form 21 x 19 x 8cm £365 
133. Small Medium Can Form 21 x 19 x 8cm £365 
16. Can Form. H19 x W14 x D7cm £350 
16. Can Form. H19 x W14 x D7cm £350 
137. Tall Can Form 19.5 x 14 x 6cm £350 
137. Tall Can Form 19.5 x 14 x 6cm £350 
20. Encrusted Jar H17 x Dia 16cm £350 
20. Encrusted Jar H17 x Dia 16cm £350 
21. Smooth Bowl H13 x Dia 18cm. £400 
21. Smooth Bowl H13 x Dia 18cm. £400
Adela Powell was a selected member of the Craft Potters Association in London. She took part in a number of Ceramics Fairs, exhibited regularly at Art in Clay at Hatfield and at various galleries in Cornwall and across the south of England. She exhibited at Innovations in Ceramic Art at the Guildhall, Cambridge, and at York Ceramics Fair. We have been delighted to show her work over a number of years at Sladers Yard.
Sladers Yard 
Wonderful. Looking forward to seeing them. So refreshing and inspiring.
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Thanks so much. They are truly original and very exciting, I couldn’t agree more. All best wishes, Anna
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