From her Freshwater studio, Linda Sydenham crafts functional and decorative ceramics, drawing inspiration from the unique landscapes and materials of her Island home.
The history of clay is one of human creativity, grounded firmly in the natural world. Many millennia ago, our ancestors discovered clay’s malleability and began to form simple structures for cooking and storage. Pottery is one of humankind’s earliest crafts and industries, with the oldest known ceramic dating back to the late Paleolithic period. On the Island, archaeological finds show that pottery-making dates to Neolithic times, evolving during the Roman period into a distinct style known as ‘Vectis ware’, crafted from rough, sandy clay.
Today, there is still an abundance of local clay, which potter Linda Sydenham uses to craft functional and creative pieces in her Freshwater studio. Linda was born and raised in Northwood, and speaks of early memories of finding pottery and clay pipe while playing. “I used to mudlark in the Medina as a child,” she reminisces. “We would find old bottles and pieces of old, broken pottery. It’s a wonder we never got swallowed by the mud!”
Though inspired by formative early experiences, Linda’s journey in potting began in 2019. Like many Islanders, Linda moved away after she finished school. By the age of 30, she was married with three children. Though life necessitated a career in finance, artistic creativity was always a constant; she painted as a hobby and studied Fine Arts, exhibiting in galleries in the 1990s. However, it was during a difficult period following the breakdown of her marriage that Linda’s path changed direction.
In the wake of major life changes, Linda received advice to ‘do something fun’. She booked onto a few morning sessions in a small pottery studio in Somerset, where she was living at the time, and was immediately hooked. Within the year, Linda had purchased a wheel and kiln, and when lockdowns were implemented, she was serendipitously prepared with a good stock of clay. This period of enforced quiet gave Linda the opportunity to focus on her newfound craft.
“Against the sadness of not being able to see family, including very young grandchildren, the skies were bright blue, and for weeks, all I could do was get out for short walks and spend my time throwing, throwing, and more throwing. It really was the best therapy, and I’ve never looked back. By October, I had set up my own Etsy shop. I can still remember the ‘ching ching’ sound on my phone of my first sale. It was so exciting.”
In the years that followed, Linda honed her craft, undertaking courses in natural glazes and alternative raku (a fast-firing, Japanese pottery technique) and learning from a mentor. “I was taken under the wing of a lovely potter in her eighties, who lived just up the hill,” explains Linda. “She gave me a lot of advice and support and became a good friend. I was invited to do my first Open Studios with her and two other ladies in 2023, which was a lot of fun”.
Linda returned to the Island in 2024 with her second husband John, a luthier and childhood friend. She describes the move as “going back to my roots”. Setting up a studio in her Freshwater home, she began creating and displaying her ceramics, which are inspired by the natural world and her interest in the environment.
“I do lots of tests using natural materials. I’ve been melting seaglass, using oyster shell, yellow flag plant and doc, as well as ditch iron (fossilised wood that disintegrates). I’m processing clay from Cranmore, and I intend to work more with materials from the Island. We’ve been using clay, quite simply, for centuries, to make useful and beautiful pieces that do no harm to the environment.”
Linda’s studio is alive with creative energy, with shelves full of her ongoing experiments in local clay and natural materials. Though varying in form, texture, colour, and firing technique, each piece is crafted with purpose – connection to the earth and the environment.
“Thinking back to my days mudlarking as a child, I realise how little negative impact there was to the environment from the rubbish thrown away then, compared to now. We seem to be losing our connection to our beautiful, fragile world. I volunteer for the National Trust, and I’m passionate about nature. I hope to incorporate a little connection to this within my work. We’re guardians of our planet, and we have a responsibility to future generations to care for it.”
Through her work, Linda invites us to reconnect with our surroundings, reminding us of the beauty that can be found in traditional skills and mindful stewardship. Her story is one of creativity and resilience, serving as a gentle reminder to cherish and protect the natural world, and our Island home.
