Agnete Hoy (1914 - 2000)

Agnete Hoy, aka Anita Hoy, a British artist and ceramicist who created a link between industrial ceramics and the work of studio potters.

Early Training and Career

Having studied in Copenhagen, she went on to work for the Holbæk and Saxbo potteries in the late-1930s before returning to England. The outbreak of war meant she was unable to return. She joined Buller's studio under the leadership of the then principal of The Burslem School of Art, and head of design at Pilkington's Gordon Forsyth.

Bullers Studio (1940-1952)

From the Bullers Exhibition Catalogue 1977, Gladstone Pottery Museum:

"Agnete Hoy: Designer, decorator, Art Director 1940-52

Trained at Copenhagen Central School of Arts & Crafts. Designer with Gerhard Neilson at Holbeck for 1.5 years, later Nathalie Krebs at Saxo Pottery. Came to England 1939. Studied at Burslem under Forsyth who introduced her to Guy Harris. Appointed Art Director 1940 produced characteristic range of ornamental and tablewares. From 1948 continued on a part time basis until 1952.

After the closure of the Bullers Studio, designer at Doulton's Lambeth factory 1952-1956 working in stoneware. Has continued to work as a potter since mostly in Porcelain. Teaches at Farnham and other colleges of art."

About Bullers Studio

Buller's Studio was in operation from 1937 to 1952. They were primarily known for creating ceramic insulators for industry. For them to branch out into studio pottery with an eminent set of potters of the day was ground-breaking.

The pottery produced is unique, of its time cutting edge and represents a time of Britain going through great trauma with the War and post-War era into a time of ideas and invention presented through the Festival of Britain in the 1950s.

Later Career and Legacy

In 1957, Agnete went on to be one of the founding members of the Craft Potters Association (CPA).

Agnete Hoy was born in 1914 in Southall, London and died 2000 in Isleworth, London.

Barewall Collection

Barewall are delighted to be able to present this collection of Anita Hoy's pottery for Bullers and sharing with you a new part of the Potteries history of that time when again British design in the Potteries was making its marks on the design history of Britain.

For more information about Agnete Hoy please visit a website created by the family of Anita Hoy: http://www.agnetehoy.com