A Potter's Life II - Portland Rokko Art & Poole Pottery Revisisted - Guy Sydenham and John Benfield

01 Dec 2004

This colourful book shows the progressive work done in the Mermaid Studios on Portland since the publication of Guy Sydenham's book A Potter's Life in 1999.

Working in high fired terracotta and combining the skills and techniques acquired over seventy years in ceramics, the essential characteristics and spirit of portland's massive and rugged limestone rock has been captured and stylised in ceramic forms using its underlying clay.

Thrown on the potter's wheel, these hollow forms are beaten sinto angular shapes or smoothly rounded pebbles. Surface textures are then carved or impressed, or anthropomorphic forms worked from within.

The Rokko Art of Portland, like the salt glazing on the islands of Poole Harbour, comes near the aspirations of ceramic artists working with raw materials seeking the ultimate creation.

This beautifully illustrated book provides a comprehensive overview of the work of Guy Sydenham since 1999. It also revisits his work before then to give a lasting record.

studiopottery.co.uk's Comments

Facts:
Publication Date: December 2004
Price: £35
ISBN: 1-904744-54-0
Binding: Hardback
Publisher: Matador, 9 De Montfort Mews, Leicester, LE1 7FW
Tel: 0116 255 9311
Edition: 1st

Please mention www.studiopottery.co.uk when contacting the publisher.