Where contemporary art has sought to remove the importance of the artist's hand, studio pottery has fought to reinstate it. Previously seen as a lesser art form, despite the quality of their work or their contemporaries, many studio ceramicists lived relatively modest lives, teaching to subsidise their income and selling to a small but dedicated collector base. With the market for studio ceramics now reaching record highs, and major institutions holding exhibitions in recognition of the impact of these artist's work, the spotlight on ceramics looks only to continue.