Acclaimed Wellington sculptor set to guest judge Channel 4’s Great Pottery Throw Down this weekend

Sharon Griffin will be a guest judge on the upcoming episode of The Great Pottery Throw Down, which is set to air on Sunday (February 16). 

The show, which showcases amateur potters designing pieces of art and utensils in a fierce competition, has been a fixture on British television since 2015. 

And Sharon, full-time figurative artist who specialises in ceramic sculpture directly inspired by woodland, said she was “thrilled” to be a part of the programme. 

Sharon said: “I was thrilled to have been asked to join the judging panel on this fantastic programme. 

“We had so much fun behind the scenes, playing with features to create a face, which was this week’s challenge. 

“The contestants were utterly brilliant, especially as they only had 20 minutes to complete this task.

“The Great Pottery Throw Down is not only hugely entertaining, but has also done so much to raise the profile of ceramics. 

“Clay is such a joy to work with and extremely rewarding. I think the world would be a much better place if we all had a bit of clay in our lives.” 

Sharon, who is also a qualified lecturer of art, overseas and volunteers at a community pottery workshop in Wellington, providing a friendly and supportive space for children and vulnerable adults to access all things clay.

The artist is currently raising funds to fix the roof at the Wellington community pottery at the Belfrey Arts Centre in Prince’s Street, which was badly damaged over winter.

Sharon's work can be found in the permanent ceramics collection at Aberystwyth University and has been featured in leading publications and exhibitions in the UK and Europe. 

The eighth series of The Great Pottery Throw Down can be watched on Channel 4 this Sunday, February 16.