Artists Statement

"I specialize in making 'one off' pieces, which conform to the basic prototype ceramic vessels - teapot, vase, bowl, jug etc. Over the years, the teapot predominated and has been the main vehicle for the expression of my ideas, but more recently, vases and bowls have been given more attention.

I am interested in the effects of time (growth and decay, fragmentation and reconstruction, and the patina of age). My forms and surfaces naturally reflect this. Recently, I have returned to simple bold forms (mostly thrown and turned) which allow me to explore subtle variations of colour and texture in glazes, which often reflect qualities seen in sea and rock.

I mainly use a smooth, off white stoneware clay (Valentines Bl7C) which is fired to cone 8 (1250c) in an electric kiln.".

I also make a range of high fired functional pottery, wheel thrown, which includes vases, jugs, mugs and bowls, suitable for everyday use, as well as a few larger, hand built pieces which express my changing ideas. Special commissions are undertaken.

Current Work

Work generally available from:
POTTERS, Perry Rd. Bristol
The Courthouse Gallery, Somerton, Somerset.
303 Gallery, Martock, Somerset
Blue Lias Gallery, Lyme Regis, Dorset
Otterton Mill, Otterton, Devon
Quay Arts, Newport, I.O.W.
Oriel-y-Felin, Trefin, Pembrokeshire

Other information:
Willing to do lectures, demonstrations, Open workshop at home, etc., with 32 years experience of teaching at College level.

Technical Information

I specialise in making 'one off' pieces, basic ceramic vessels, especially teapots,vases and bowls. I do hand build and press mould, but most of my work is thrown & turned. Simple forms allow me to experiment with various textures and colour in glazes. I mainly use a pale stoneware clay and fire to 1250c in an electric kiln.

History

Born: ­16th February I943, Belper, Derbyshire, England.

Education:
1956 - 1961 Joseph Wright Secondary School of Art, Derby.
1961 - 1966 Derby & District College of Art. (N.D.D.)
1966 - 1967 School of Art Education, Birmingham. (A.T.D.and full Teachers Cert.)

1986 - Established workshop and direct sales outlet in Merriott, Somerset.

Memberships:
Ex member of:
Midland Group of Artists, Nottingham.
Red Rose Guild of Designer Craftsmen, Manchester.
Associated Artists, Pittsburgh.
Member of:
The Craft Potters Association.
Westcountry Potters Association
"Potters" - co-operative of 50 potters at Clifton Down Shopping Centre, Bristol, since 1999.
Somerset Guild of Craftsmen

Teaching:
1967 - 1968 Shenstone College of Education, Bromsgrove. - Temporary lecturer in charge of ceramics and sculpture.
1968 - 1999 Yeovil College (formerly Yeovil Technical College) - Head of ceramics.
1973 - 1974 Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, Va. U.S.A. - Exchange professor.
1978 - 1979 Community College of Alegheny County, Pittsburgh, Pa. - U. S.A. Exchange professor.

Publications

Work published in:
"Exploring Sculpture" by Jan Arundell.
"Ceramic Review"
"Teapotmania" by Chloe Archer.
"Potters" (9th, 1Oth and 11th)
"Quarto" magazine
"Scene" magazine
"The Potter's Directory of Shape and Form" by Neal French.

Exhibitions

Major exhibitions, one person, two person / group shows include:

1965 - Bradford Spring Exhibition (open);
1965 - Under 30s, British Crafts Centre, London;
1965 - Invited Potters, Midland Group Gallery, Nottingham.

1966 - Under 30s, Northern Crafts Centre, Manchester.

1968 - One Person Show, Midland Group Gallery, Nottingham;
1968 - Two Person Show, Compendium Gallery, Birmingham.

1970 - Three Person Show, Butlin Gallery, Dillington House, Somerset.

1974 - One Person Show, Roanoke Fine Art Center, Roanoke, Va, U.S.A.

1978 - 100 Teapots (invited show) Thiel College Pa. U.S.A.

1979 - One Person Show, The Clay Place, Pittsburgh, Pa, U.S.A.;
1979 - Dimensions '79, Greensburg, Pa.U.S.A.;
1979 - Annual Exhibition, Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Pa. U.S.A.

1990 - Two Person Show, Yeovil Community Arts Centre, Somerset.

1992 - Fireworks 1 Contemporary Ceramics, London. (C.P.A.show)

1993 - Potters, Contemporary Ceramics, London. (C.P.A.show)
 

1994 - Fireworks 2 Contemporary Ceramics, London. (C.P.A.show);
1994 - The Curry Collection, North Curry, Somerset. (W.P.A.show);
1994 - Pots and Potters, The County Museum, Taunton. (W.P.A.show);
1994 - Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery, (W.P.A.show);
1994 - Ceramics'94, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, (C.P.A.show)

1995 - Teapotmania, Norwich Castle Museum, then touring until 1997;
1995 - Model House Craft & Design Centre, Llantrisant, Wales;
1995 - The Chapel Gallery, Saltram House, Plymouth, (W.P.A.show);
1995 - Cider Press Gallery, Dartington, (W.P.A.show)

1996 - Out of the Earth, Trelowarren Gallery, Cornwall, (W.P.A.show);
1996 - In The Window (one person) Contemporary Ceramics, London;
1996 - Whats Brewing? Art Gonnoisseur Gallery, London. (C.P.A.show);
1996 - Ceramics Ceramics, Fisherton Mill, Salisbury;
1996 - Somerset Crafts, Bridport Arts Centre, Dorset.

1997 - 3D Gallery, Bristol, (W.P.A.show);
1997 - Black Swan Gallery, Frome, Somerset. (W.P.A.show);
1997 - On Line Gallery, Southampton, (W.P.A.show);
1997 - Off the Shelf, Sherborne Contemporary Arts, Dorset.

1998 - Otterton Mill, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, (W.P.A.show);
1998 - An Enchanted Priory, Marcham Priory, Oxfordshire;
1998 - The Meeting House Gallery, Ilminster, Somerset. (W.P.A.show);
1998 - Atelier 18, Nottingham. (W.P.A.show);
1998 - Off the Shelf 2, Sherborne Contemporary Arts, Dorset;
1998 - Christmas Pot Pouri 2, Alpha House Gallery, Sherborne, Dorset.

1999 - Mariners Gallery, St. Ives, Cornwall. Group show;
1999 - Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. (W.P.A. show);
1999 - The Meeting House Gallery, Ilminster, Somerset.(W.P.A.show);
1999 - Off the Shelf 99, Sherborne, Dorset;
1999 - Blue Lias Gallery, Lyme Regis, Dorset. (Three person show);
1999 - Yeovil Arts Centre. (two person show)

2000 - Cambridge. (joint W.P.A./ E.A.P.A.show);
2000 - Dorset Gallery, Wareham;
2000 - POSSI, Castle Cary, Summer Exhibition;
2000 - East Lambrook Manor, Somerset.(Two person show);
2000 - Sidbury Mill, Devon. (W.P.A.show);
2000 - Mariners Gallery, St. Ives. Cornwall. (5 person show);
2000 - Bridport Arts centre, Bridport, Dorset.

2001 - Dorset Gallery, Wareham;
2001 - Bunch of Five, Sherbourne House, Sherbourne, Dorset;
2001 - Atrium Gallery, Bournemouth University, Summer Show;
2001 - Alpha House gallery, Sherbourne, Winter Exhibition

Public Collections

Roanoke Fine Art Center.
Pittsburgh Arts Center.
Somerset Museums Service.
North Kesteven Museum Service, Lincolnshire.