Janet Halligan

Janet Halligan’s work combines a playful sense of the surreal with an extraordinary ability to replicate everyday objects in ceramic form. Her pieces demonstrate a refined understanding of sculptural shape, balance and proportion, often blurring the line between illusion and reality.

She frequently explores functionality through forms such as jugs, vases and cups, incorporating her fascination with fastenings, ties and fixings. These elements transform seemingly ordinary vessels into distinctive, characterful works with unexpected identities.

Surface texture plays a central role in her practice. Janet skilfully emulates materials such as leather, metal and cardboard, achieving a striking likeness to the original while working entirely in clay. Shoes, bags, belts, clothing and familiar household items provide the starting point for her work—objects drawn from daily life that invite closer observation.

At first glance, her work delights in visual deception, drawing the viewer into a compelling game of imitation. On closer inspection, however, each piece reveals a deeper exploration of form, colour and material. Janet’s sensitive handling of ceramics encourages us to reconsider the significance of the everyday, while marvelling at her ability to transform one material into another.

Nothing is quite as it seems in Janet’s intriguing practice.

Each bespoke piece is individually handcrafted using slab-building techniques and finished with a range of stoneware glazes and metal lustres to enhance surface detail.

For those drawn to trompe l’oeil, Janet’s work offers a particularly captivating experience.