Lola Swain

British Potter & Ceramic Artist in Leigh-on-Sea

Lola Swain is a British potter and ceramic artist based in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Specializing in hand-built ceramics made using traditional coil pottery techniques, Lola creates organic, sculptural forms from earthenware clay in her Leigh-on-Sea studio. Each piece is slowly built by hand, layer by layer, allowing the form to evolve naturally—reflecting the meditative and tactile nature of working with clay.

Lola’s ceramic style draws inspiration from the ancient pottery of the American Southwest, where geometric patterning and raw clay textures feature prominently. She incorporates the natural colour of the clay into her designs, enhancing the earthy aesthetic through layers of coloured slip and burnishing. The result is a collection of hand-crafted pots that are both contemporary and deeply rooted in tradition.

Her evolving body of work also explores surface design through incised linework, revealing bold, contrasting patterns after slip is applied and selectively removed. These visual elements are often inspired by her passion for the natural world, floral motifs, and the flowing, organic forms of Art Nouveau. Recent travels abroad have introduced new influences into her practice, especially through her experiences with native flora and Maori symbolic patterns.

Lola Swain is currently represented by Turner Art Perspective, Art Gallery, where her latest ceramic collections are exhibited. The gallery showcases her unique approach to contemporary coil pottery and supports her presence within the UK’s artisan ceramics scene.