A journey from finance to creative practice
About Berenice
I create hand built ceramic forms that explore the relationship between structure and surface. My work is informed by the textures and imperfections found in both natural and built environments, including peeling paint, weathered metal, decaying wood, and cracked surfaces.
Most pieces are fired to stoneware temperatures and are decorated with a combination of slips, oxides and glaze.
Early Life and Professional Career
Berenice Janulewicz started her career by achieving an honours degree in Business Studies. She went on to qualify as an accountant and established a successful professional path within the retail sector. Her expertise, combined with a strong commitment to education, led her to the University of Leeds, where she served as Finance and Commercial Director for over a decade. In 2008, Berenice decided to leave the University and pursue a variety of non-executive director and senior advisory roles whilst at the same time exploring her own personal development away from the corporate world.
Introduction to Ceramics
Art has always played a role in Berenice’s life; however it was her late husband who motivated her to explore the medium of clay. Encouraged by him, she attended various workshops to develop her knowledge and skills. She later became an active member both of the Arts Collective, which is based at Rural Arts in Thirsk, and at Croft Pottery, a creative and supportive clay community in North Yorkshire. In 2025, Berenice embarked on a new phase of her creative journey by enrolling on an Open University degree in 3D Creative Practice. She is studying at York College’s School of Art, marking a new chapter in her artistic development.
Artistic Practice
Berenice’s ceramic practice is rooted in hand building; this allows her to express both creativity and craftsmanship. She values the fingerprints and irregularities left by the maker, viewing them as a reflection of human individuality and authenticity. The abstract forms she creates draw inspiration from the natural world. Through this practice Berenice explores the relationship between material and making, creating pieces that reflect a sustained engagement with form, surface and touch.
