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news and views INSIDER | NEWS

Edited by DAVID NICHOLLS

Cross-

cultural

influences

Ceramicist Hitomi Hosono turns to
the floral designs of Sibyl Colefax
& John Fowler for inspiration

itomi Hosono’s delicate
ceramic creations celebrate
botanical forms found in the
natural world; fine porcelain
Hleaves, stems and blossoms
unfurl across boxes, bowls and vases in intri-
cate layers of pattern. Born in Japan, Hitomi
has lived in the UK since 2007 and finds
inspiration in its gardens and its hedgerows.
Chrysanthemums, camellias, wisteria and
cherry blossom have all been painstakingly
reimagined in porcelain.
For her latest collection of work, Hitomi has
turned to Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler – an
interior-design studio well known for its floral
fabrics and wallpapers. ‘One pattern that
caught my eye was “Roses & Pansies” (pic-
tured), in which the flowers appeared to
be moving as if blown by a gentle summer
breeze,’ she explains. The softness and the
delicacy of these petals is something that
she has translated into her vessels, which are
made through a traditional method called
‘sprigging’, whereby tiny ceramic reliefs are
applied to porcelain. The result is a 35-piece
collection, which is being exhibited within
the sumptuous interiors of the Sibyl Colefax &
John Fowler showroom in London – another
point of inspiration for Hitomi. Until October
27 at 39 Brook Street, W1. Hitomi Hosono is
represented by Adrian Sassoon. Emily Tobin

GHOSTLY GOINGS-ON Enter, if you dare, the historic houses of residents who share their quarters with
the ghosts of generations past. Just in time for Hallowe’en, the Historic Houses Association has highlighted a
selection of its castles and manor houses believed to be haunted by spirits or to
JOSHUA MONAGHAN; JAMES KERR Trail are Chillingham Castle near Alnwick, which boasts ghosts in the chambers,
have seen great misfortune. Among the spooky sites on the Ghostly and Gruesome

courtyard and pantry, and the Elizabethan Chavenage House in Tetbury
(right) where a war-torn soldier once mysteriously disappeared from a bedroom.
For opening times and property information, visit hha.org.uk. Arta Ghanbari
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