My work is a lot about the landscape and the materials from which the landscape is made.
Recorded 2 years ago
About this recording
Northshore Pottery, Mill of Forse, Latheron is the studio of ceramic artist Jenny Mackenzie Ross.
Originally from Kent, Jenny claims to have always felt Scottish. Her parents were GPs in the village where they lived, but their roots were in Scotland.
Jenny studied Fine Art (Sculpture) at Newcastle University in the 1980s. After graduating she began work in Edinbane Pottery, Isle of Skye. There she found a love of the landscape and mountains.
Jenny came to Caithness in the 1980s to work as a Production Thrower at John O’Groats Pottery. Here she continued her interest in mountaineering by joining the Assynt Mountain Rescue Team and the Caithness Mountaineering Club. Jenny also, at this time, started sea kayaking.
Landscape features strongly in Jenny’s work.
“My work is a lot about the landscape and the materials from which the landscape is made.”
While working at John O’Groats, Jenny rented a cottage near Duncansby Head from George and Cathy Manson. Cathy in particular was a great teller of stories of the past. George kept a 1945 Harley Davidson in his shed.
Around 1993, Jenny bought the Forse Mill in Latheron from the grandsons of the original Cunningham millers. At that time the mill was somewhat derelict having been used for a time as a cowshed. It ceased working as a mill in the 1950s, having been originally built around the end of the 19th century. Some of the building was still intact but the roof over the kiln had fallen in. Funding was sought and this helped make the project possible.
Jenny worked closely with the original Northlands company where their students would come indoor camping - making for a creative environment.
Jenny continues to carry out some teaching for students who are studying ceramics or who wish to learn pottery techniques.
Contributors
Photos
Rognvald Brown
