Artist's Statement

The ceramic vessels that John Higgins makes refer most often to architecture, archaeology and everyday objects. A format is decided, but room is always allowed for spontaneous and expressive handling of the medium.

The techniques of slab forming and throwing are used, the clay is heavily grogged to withstand the unusual methods of making and the surfaces are treated simply with slips, stains and oxides.

Both gas and electric kilns are used. The work is fired to 1150°C

Current Work

One-off vessel forms made with combined slab and thrown elements. Fired to 1150°c to achieve a dry surface with different layers of colour.

Work generally available from:
Work is regularly sold at Contemporary Ceramics, the CPA shop at 7, Marshall Street, London and at:
Plateaux, Contemporary Applied Arts, London.
Contemporary English Ceramics and Art, Nr. Bremen, Germany.
Quest, Bath
Norwich Castle Museum
New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham, Surrey
Contemporary Ceramics, London

Websites:
www.ruffordcraftcentre.org.uk

Other Information: Besides my record of teaching at different levels, I also have a record of lectures, demonstrations and workshops given to students and also ceramic organisations

Technical Information

Gas Kiln, to 1150°c using a mixture of crank and hand-building material. Surfaces are created from the use of oxides, slip and coloured pigment.

History

A background in teaching at most levels balanced with a continuity of making and showing work through exhibitions both Nationally and Internationally

Qualifications
BA 2/1 - 3D Design Ceramics, Wolverhampton College of Art 1966-69
PGCE - General Art and Design, Sussex University 1970-71

Residency
1987 - Potter in Residence, Uley Arts Centre, Gloucestershire.

Teaching Experience
Secondary Education 1971-73
Adult Education 1973 - date
HMP Prison, Leyhill 1987
Further Education VIth Form 1988-2004
Christ Church Canterbury University College 2005/6
Demonstration Workshops

Professional Societies
Fellow, Craft Potters Association, UK.
External Verifier & National Advisor for Ceramics, City and Guilds, London

Publications
Sources of Inspiration by Carolyn Genders A&C Black 2002
Keramic Magazin Vol. 27 no 3 June/July 2005

Awards and Commissions

Awards
1990 - Contemporary Ceramics London, Award for best piece in the show.
1991 - Contemporary Ceramics London, Award for best overall work in the show.
1994 - Whitbread Prizewinner, Milton Keynes.
1996 - Joint Winner of the Belgian Ceramics Biennale Competition.
1998 - Honourable Mention, 5th International Ceramics Competition '98 - Mino, Japan.
1998 - Award Ceramics Biennale, Association of potters of Southern Africa, Johannesburg.
2003 - Award Ceramics Triennial, Association of potters of South Africa, Cape Town.
2004 - Contemporary Ceramics Showcase.
2009 Winner of the"Peers Award" at Hatfield Art in Clay

Commissions
1997 - Takeshimaya Commission, 16 pieces, Japan.

Catalogues

1979 - 37th Concorso Internazionale Della Ceramica D'arte, Faenza, Italy
1981 - 39th Concorso Internazionale Della Ceramica D'arte, Faenza, Italy
1981 - XIII Biennale Internationale de Ceramique D'art, Vallauris, France
1982 - Britain in Greece, Athens
1983 - International Ceramic Exhibition, Belgium
1984 - Craft Galleries
1985 - The Fletcher Challenge Award, New Zealand
1986 - The Fletcher Challenge Award, New Zealand
1998 - Mishou-Ryu Flower Arrangement Exhibition, Takashimaya Osaka Store, Japan
1998 - The 5th International Ceramics Competition 1998, Mino, Japan
1998 - National Ceramics Quarterly, South Africa.
2003 - Association of Potters of South Africa, Altech ceramics Triennial, Cape Town

Exhibitions

1979 - Represented the UK at the 37th Concorso Internazionale Della Ceramica D'arte
1981 - 39th Concorso Internazionale Della Ceramica D'Arte, Faenza, Italy;
1981 - Exhibition, Gothenburge, Sweden
1982 - British Crafts Centre, London
1987 - Prema Uley, Gloucestershire
1988 - Smiths Gallery - London
1990 - Contemporary Ceramics - London. Presented with award for best piece in the show;
1990 - Norwich Castle Museum "Looking East"; A travelling exhibition - Ipswich, UK
1991 - Koblenz Germany; Fletcher Challenge New Zealand;
1991 - Contemporary Ceramics, London. Presented with award for best overall in the show.
1992 - XII International Biennale of Ceramic Art, Valluris, France.
1993 - Fletcher Challenge, New Zealand; Galerie Argile, Brussels, Belgium
1994 - Whitbread Prize Winner; Ceramics 94, Victoria and Albert Museum
1995 - Britain in Greece Festival, Athens
1996 - Joint winner of the Belgian Ceramics Biennial Competition
1997 - Fletcher Challenge - New Zealand;
1997 - Earth and Fire 3, Rufford Potters Festival;
1997 - Major commission to Japan - 16 pieces
1998 - Fletcher Challenge New Zealand;
1998 - Honourable mention, 5th International Ceramics Competition '98, Mino, Japan;
1998 - Award, Ceramics Biennale, Association of Potters of Southern Africa, Johannesburg.
1999 - Ceramics Monthly International Competition / Exhibition, Ohio, USA.
2000 - Ceramics Biennale, Association of Potters of Southern Africa, Johannesburg;
2000 - Nyad Christy Wilde Gallery - Manhatten, New York
2001 - Gallery Rosenhauer - Gottingen, Germany;
2001 - Brewery Arts Centre - Cirencester;
2001 - Carlin Gallery - Paris
2003 - Altech Ceramics Triennial, Cape Town, South Africa Award Winner;
2003 - Fovea Gallery - Harrow, London.
2004 - Contemporary Ceramics London, showcase;
2004 - Chelsea Crafts Fair. London;
2004 - Urban Interiors, Business Design Centre - Islington, London
2005 - Galerie Rosenhauer Gotttingen Germany
2005 - Ceramic Art London, Royal College of Art
2005 - New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham
2006 - Open Eye Gallery Edinburgh
2006 - Ceramic Art, London
2006 - Campdem Gallery
2006 - Contemporary Ceramics, London
2006 - Art in Clay, Hatfield House
2006 - Contemporary Ceramics, Oxford
2006 - Fovea Gallery, Harrow
2007 - Rope Gallery, Lincoln
2007 - Galerie Rosenhauer Gottingen, Germany
2007 - The Gallery at Bevere Worcester
2007 - Ceramic Art, London