Claire Henry is a small-batch production potter working from her studio in the east end of Glasgow, Scotland. Originally from western Canada, she received her BFA from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2008, focusing on ceramic form and design. 

Her work can be found in private collections across the UK, South Korea, Europe and North America. Focusing on durability, function and form, Claire’s glazes are inspired by the shifting colours and textures, elements and seasons of Scotland’s wild landscapes. 

What value does craft have in daily life?

Craft tells the story of a material: how we control and manipulate it, understanding its history, and how we can share and pass on this knowledge to others. There is value in the time it takes to develop a skillset, and the confidence to blend those skills with creativity and one's personal voice. Craft plays a special role in daily life, ritual and routine by bringing a private practice out into the world, and perhaps back into the personal space of the home. Using something that is mass-manufactured cannot be compared to the experience of how we relate to a well-crafted item. There is a piece of the maker, their technique, and their creative journey in everything made by hand.

What does Scottishness mean to you?

For me, Scottishness is comprised of many parts - it is part of a collective connection to the landscape and to nature. It means commiserating about the weather, while also appreciating the dramatic natural beauty that this country holds. It is a feeling of belonging, and of welcoming others in. It’s not a matter of where you are from, but what values you share. Scottishness is formed from inclusivity, language, humour, and culture and belongs to everyone.