House Style with ceramicist Jonathan Openshaw at his eclectic apartment in Kennington, south London
As a ceramicist, Jonathan Openshaw is inspired by archaeology, brutalism, and past holidays to Pompeii, Italy. While he handmakes his sculptural pots and vases in a studio he shares with other artists, he sketches his designs here at his peaceful apartment in Kennington, south London, which also expresses his eclectic personal taste. Here, Jonathan shares his house style.
You’re happiest at home when…
Although I’ve got a shared ceramics studio where I make most of my work, I do a lot of my sketching and designs at home, and that’s when I’m probably most content.
My vessels are inspired by my travels and studies in anthropology and archaeology, so I have lots of dusty old reference books lying around to use for inspiration when starting on a new collection. My last research trip was to Pompeii in early 2020 and I brought back lots of reference pictures and books. Having a peaceful apartment to sketch and design in really got me through those first few mad months of the pandemic.
If you could save one thing, what would it be?
This would be a tough call. Most of the things I own have been picked up during my travels or are gifts from loved ones, so they have a lot of sentimental value. I don’t really keep things around unless they represent some kind of memory or moment.
Having said that, the one thing I’ve probably taken most care of over the years is an antique egg collection from a great, great uncle. I found them in a wooden crate in my grandparents’ attic and had them framed in a vitrine. I love the subtle colours and speckles, and the way they morph as the light changes throughout the day. I wouldn’t consider buying blown eggs today, of course, but these date from the 1850s – they’re still labelled in light pencil – and are a fragile reminder that collecting runs in the blood.
What is your favourite living space around the world?
This isn’t a wildly original choice but Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge is my all-time dream space.
I love the way that it moves seamlessly from higgledy-piggledy cottages to a vaulted mid-century extension, and the curation of art and objects that Jim Ede built up over his lifetime is flawless in my eyes. I like that he collected significant artists such as Miro or Brancusi, but then would display them next to found objects or a collection of pebbles. That unpretentious mixing of art and craft really appeals to me. He also had an incredible eye for unknown talent, as shown by the recent exhibition of self-taught mariner artist Alfred Wallis. The white walls, hardwood floors, and abundance of light at Kettles Yard provide a blank canvas for Ede’s amazing collections.
What was the last thing that you brought for the house?
A large abstract oil by my talented friend Lucienne O’Mara.
I’ve been wanting a piece of O’Mara’s for ages but she moved out of London just before the pandemic. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I managed to make it out to her studio. I’d slightly misjudged the size of her canvases though, and hadn’t hired a car, so I had the fun experience of carting it back on the train. It basically took up half the carriage and I don’t think I was popular with the Kent commuters. Now that it’s up on my wall, I couldn’t be happier – it was well worth the schlep.
Top three coffee table books?
The Pot Book by Edmund de Waal; Plant by Phaidon; Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman, by The British Museum
If money was no object, what changes would you make?
I’m actually moving into my dream house next month – a Victorian three-storey red brick in Elephant and Castle.
I’m describing it as a ‘fixer downer’ as the last owner rented it out, so a lot of the character has been removed, but I can’t wait to set about restoring the place. I’ve got plans to do a rear extension and put a roof terrace in, so I’m really looking forward to the next couple of years working on the place.
You’re having people over for dinner: what do you cook?
Something that I can cook in advance and serve with a flourish.
I make a mean ragu for a weeknight dinner. For something more special on the weekend, perhaps I’ll make slow-cooked lamb shank with salsa verde and polenta in the winter, or spatchcocked poussin and salads in the summer.
What does Sunday here look like?
Taking my time over the papers and a pot of coffee before spending a couple of hours pottering about and reorganising my shelves – a never-ending job, it seems.
Then I’ll usually head out to see friends or to my studio in the early afternoon.
What are the best things about the neighbourhood?
I’m a born and bred south Londoner, and although I’ve spent time living east and central, I always come back to roost.
I’m not a total zealot though and I appreciate transport can be a bit of a pain down here, so Kennington is the ideal compromise for me. It still has all the things I love about south London, with a mix of communities and plenty of green space, but it’s also very central – especially as a cyclist. It was while renting here that I decided I had to buy in the area, and I’m pleased to say that my new place in Elephant and Castle is a short stroll away.
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