Syann Van Niftrik

Syann trained in ceramic design, Johannesburg, designed ceramic cladding and architectural murals. She learned jewellery-making through the studio system in Amsterdam and established her practice in Britain in 1980. Syann taught in  Arts centres at Central St Martins, and in-house degree students.

She has exhibited widely: Chelsea, Goldsmith's and  Internationall at MAD NewYork and Sieraad Amsterdam.

Her work is available at ArtShop, At@Work and  MAKEsw.

Describe your approach to teaching
I approach teaching by building on each students experience. Introducing skills as needed through working with the materials and tools while keeping the end goal in sight.

What inspires your work?
Drawing on themes pertinent to my experience of the world I work directly into the material, responding through process to subconscious themes.  I use uncomplicated techniques and tools, including hammers.