Lilly Reid is a self-taught ceramic artist whose work evokes a gentle sense of nostalgia and belonging. Her sculptures explore the connection between nature, memory, and craft.
Lilly’s fascination with clay began in childhood, playing in the farmers’ fields where her mother kept horses. She would sculpt small animals from the earth itself, letting the sun harden each piece, unaware that these early creations would spark a lifelong passion.
Lilly’s stoneware and porcelain forms are a unique mix of wheel-thrown pottery and hand-built sculpture. Her pieces often depict British wildlife nestled among the flora—foxtail, Yorkshire fog, and other native plants—capturing quiet moments of rest and connection to the natural world. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of British children’s illustration, including Beatrix Potter and Walter Crane’s Aesop’s Fables, Lilly’s work carries a gentle narrative quality that feels both timeless and familiar.
Her practice is also an ode to the ceramics industry she has grown to love—the sculpture, the wheel-thrown pottery, and the sgraffito techniques she uses to bring each piece to life. Since 2019, when she began selling small works at local artisan markets, Lilly’s art has continued to evolve, shaped by a growing community of collectors and fellow makers.
Each piece is a reflection of her story: a blend of childhood wonder, deep respect for craft, and a desire to create work that feels enduring, intimate, and quietly joyful.
