Sarah Tonks graduated with a BA(Hons) in Structural Textiles and spent ten years working as the art and crafts instructor at St. Margaret’s Centre in Durham, a facility supporting people recovering from mental illness. During this time, she also exhibited her own mixed media artwork across several venues in the North East of England.

Now based in the Lake District, Sarah works predominantly with clay, creating detailed, three dimensional framed pieces rich in colour and texture. Her work brings together elements of the local landscape, architecture, flora and fauna, often with an imaginative touch woven throughout.

Each piece is carefully built in layers, combining hand shaped clay with painted detail to create depth and texture within the frame. Colour has always been central to Sarah’s work, with surfaces developed to feel expressive, tactile and full of character.

The pieces we have in the gallery have a real warmth and charm, designed to bring a sense of joy into the home.