EVERYBODY needs a hug from time to time, and funnyman Johnny Vegas, who lives with the challenges of ADHD, knows more than most. That’s why he’s created an entire avenue of them in a new art installation intending to lend a helping hand.

He’s been working with sculptor Emma Rodgers to create Just Be There – hugs captured in clay to record moments of emotion – an artwork that has just been unveiled at the city’s Spode Works as part of the big British Ceramics Biennial festival.

Johnny, who trained in art and ceramics before becoming a comedian, asked local people to tell him about those moments when they, too, just needed a hug, or offered one to someone. Then, working with Emma, he helped fix their hugs into clay, making them permanent.

The avenue of hugs, which represent “often unspoken emotions of love and contentment”, leads to a wall of unfired clay, where there’s an open invitation to those experiencing anxiety, anger, grief – or any other strong emotion – to express their feelings by making marks on it.

“The wall is an invitation to those who don’t get art, to those who are unhappy, to those who feel bitterness,” says Johnny. “It’s an invitation to tell it to the wall, to let it out on the wall and do something a bit destructive. Once they’ve done that, they can walk back through the avenue of hugs without resentment for love and contentment.

“Let it out – by all means let it out – but never let go of love. Never let go of that hug.”

During the pandemic, the comedian found solace in creativity, and nearly three decades after he graduated in art and ceramics at the University of Middlesex, returned to the studio following a chance encounter with sculptor Emma.

His work in clay draws on his experiences of living with ADHD, and explores concepts of flight, faith, and fear of failure. He has described his return to art and clay as “an unfinished part of my story”.

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Emma, who helps Johnny realise his creative ideas, has work in major public and private collections worldwide, including an iconic Liverpool statue of Cilla Black, and the world’s largest Liver Bird, standing at 11 metres high and comprising over-sized Meccano pieces.

On October 18, Johnny and Emma will be in conversation at a special Biennial event, where they will be discussing their collaboration, exploring some of the themes in the Just Be There artwork, and inviting people to capture hand gestures in clay.

British Ceramics Biennial is a six-week celebration of clay and ceramics showcasing new work by more than 60 artists across exhibitions, films, talks and events. It runs until October 19 at the Spode Works, helping celebrate the city’s industrial heritage and creative spirit.

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After the festival, Johnny’s hugs will be for sale for £800 each, with all proceeds going back to British Ceramics Biennial, an arts charity, to help fund its year-round programme of artist commissions, education and community projects. For more info on the charity, head here.

The event comes as Stoke-on-Trent celebrates 100 years of its city status in 2025 with a series of events that you can learn more about here.  For destination information about Stoke-on-Trent see www.visitstoke.co.uk. Images: Jenny Harper, British Ceramics Biennial, Emma Rodgers

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