Zoë Ellison

Born in Zimbabwe, Zoë Ellison (February 1916–August 1986) was a studio potter and ceramics teacher based in Cambridge. Ellison trained at the Ewenny Pottery, Glamorgan, and Camberwell College of Art, London.

Between 1951-60, Ellison ran the Crosskeys Pottery in Swaffham Bulbeck, Cambridgeshire, along with her husband Jan whose work is also represented in the Kettle’s Yard collection. She taught at the Cambridge School of Art where her studentsincluded Elspeth Owen and Magdalene Odundo, who credits Ellison with introducing her to ceramics.

Working with earthenware and stoneware clays, Ellison experimented with glazing and firing techniques, such as spattered glazes and sawdust firing. Her work ranges from glossy domestic wares to earthy sculptural vessels.