JO TAYLOR — (NOT) GUILTY PLEASURES
JO TAYLOR - ARTIST FILM - CLIENT | BRITISH CERAMICS BIENNIAL - JUNE 25
[SYNOPSIS]
Jo Taylor's works are inspired by an interest in the Rococo period. She distils the essence of Rococo — curves, ornament, skill, palette, asymmetry, joy, theatricality — into a garniture of large-scale sculptural vessels. For Award 2025, clay was coloured, thrown and coiled to create sculptural vessels elevated on feet or stands. The surfaces were adorned with thrown and hand-built additions alongside thick coloured slip. Jo Taylor won the £10,000 BCB Award Prize 2025.
[TRANSCRIPT]
"I think it's about taking the pleasure when you can. It's important for wellbeing to have some pleasure and some frivolity in life.
This was inspired by a conversation with my dentist about Bridgerton being his guilty pleasure, and relating that to the Rococo — how myself, and perhaps others, feel slightly guilty for being inspired by that, because it's very frivolous. But we also have to have some joy, to be able to function.
Clay is such a unique material. It's very exciting to think how you can use it to translate an idea from something very functional to something ridiculously sculptural."
[CAST + CREW]
Created by Lucy Steel and Cameron Doig
Artist: Jo Taylor
Client: British Ceramics Biennial
Award: BCB Award Prize Winner 2025
Project Type: Artist Film
Exhibition: Award 2025, Spode Factory, Stoke-on-Trent
Year: 2025