Joanna Howells like many of the potters I admire did not start out with the aim of becoming a potter. Her initial calling was medicine and she gained a BA in Medical Sciences at Cambridge University before deciding to take up pottery full time in 1984. This resulted in her enrolling for the ceramic course at Harrow College in North London and from there she graduated with a distinction.

After a little time experimenting, Joanna chose to work in porcelain "for its tactile and visual qualities, the way it allows itself to be thrown then deformed and textured while still plastic". Joanna says that most of her influences are from nature and now that she lives in South Wales the effect of the waves on the shore and the wind on the cliffs nearby have become important in her work.

Recently Joanna has started to introduce the use of copper red and examples of the development of this aspect of her work will be included in the exhibition at the Harlequin Gallery. Large double walled pieces and platters with forged iron handles not seen before will also be on display.

At a time when much work in porcelain is over hyped and over priced I am grateful to Joanna for allowing me to stage this exhibition - porcelain pure and simple.