Artists Statement

I have been interested in and fascinated by the production of strong colours in reds, blues and greens at stoneware temperatures since my college days in the 1960's &70's, at which time I was given a free hand in kiln firing and discovered the possibilities. Although I was taught in the 'Leach/Japanese' tradition, within which such strong colours were frowned upon at the time - I have pursued this direction with great interest, achieving glazes full of depth and richness and beauty.

My glazes are more based on the early Chinese tradition of strong monochromes, Flambe's and Chuns or Juns, coupled with the Celadons and Iron glazes; i have recently developed a Shino Gold lustrous glaze which looks stunning coupled with a copper red on the same piece. My glazes are applied to a piece in a formal arrangement overlaid with an abstract manor , and allowing the very high long firing to merge and mature the richness of the piece.

Current Work

My work has been for many years now specialising in High fired reduction stoneware;
producing mainly 'one off' pieces for the table and for display, in various forms.

Current work available:

The Showroom at my Studio, where I show work by other Artists as well.
Chatton Gallery, Northumberland.
Lund gallery, N. Yorkshire.
Pyramid Gallery, York.
Stokoe House Ceramics Gallery, Alston, Cumbria.
Biscuit Factory, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Technical Information

My work is hand thrown ,or hand moulded over wood moulds. Clay is a blend of Staffordshire, Devon and Cornish Clays I get made up into a body in Stoke. I fire in a kiln I built to my own design, approx. 36 cu. ft. natural gas fired. Bisque firing to 1000c and the Glaze firing to 1350c (cone 14) Firing to top Temp takes approx. 24 hours, and left 48 hours for cooling, and the reduction starts strong early on and eases off to neutral in the last few hours of firing. I've found firing at these very high temps achieves the qualities and colours I strive after. I base my glazes on Feldspar in its various forms and wood ash (sourced locally) and I only use iron and copper as pigment oxides.

Career Background

Born : Billericay, Essex, England, U.K.

Apprenticeship:
1965 - 68 : in Toolmaking and Electrical Engineering at Crompton Parkinson's Ltd, Chelmsford .

Further Education:
1965 - 68 : Chelmsford Tech College, day-release student.
(first became interested in studio pottery with Joanna Constantinidis at Chelmsford College)
1968 - 70 : Foundation in Art at Southend School of Art
1970 - 73 : Dip. AD in Ceramics at Northumbria University
1981 : Teacher Training, Cert Ed. at Leeds University

Lecturing:
1973 - 83: Part-time and Visiting at vairious Colleges and Universities
1988 onwards : visiting lecturing, and running my own classes and workshops from my studio and other places (see classes page)

Studios:
1974 : Set up my first pottery studio at Beamish Hall, Co. Durham.
1981 : Set up my 2nd pottery studio, in Cails Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne.
1983-88 : Set up my 3rd (and current studio) and supervised the Architectural Ceramics Program for the construction of the new Arts Centre in Newcastle; and also conducted and supervised all the archaeological excavations carried out during the rebuilding program at the Centre.
1988 : Continuing to work independently in my studio in Blackswan Courtyard at Newcastle Arts Centre.

Television:
1996 : BBC feature on the making and presentation of the Korean piece.

Selected Publications:
1989 : Artists Newsletter Dec. 1st issue - article on my Tile project
1997 : Ceramic Review No.167 - article on my quest for a Jun glaze.

Other info:
I'm available for Workshops and Demonstrations;
Also I run free pottery classes at a local Charity, all welcome.

Awards

1979 & 1981 : Northern Arts production awards.
1987 : BBC Design Awards, selected for floor tile designs produced at Newcastle Arts Centre
1989 : Newcastle City Council - production/development award.
1999 & 2000 : Grainger Town Project, Newcastle.
1999 : Cultural Business Venture Award - Northern Arts.

Selected Commisssions

1994 : Presentation piece to HRH The Princess Royal.
1996 : Presentation piece to the Government of Kyonggi Province, Korea. Piece now on display in the Samsung Museum of Ceramics, Korea.
1997 : Malmaison Hotel Group - large serving platters.
1998-2000 : Architectural features for the reconstruction of Roman buildings in Tyne &Wear.
2000 : Presentation piece to the Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown.
2003 : Presentation piece for Northumbria Police, Golf Champion
2004 : Important Piece purchased by Lord and Lady Inglewood for their collection at Hutton in the Forest, Cumbria
2005 : Presentation piece for the 'North East Large Company Award'
2007 : Educational Tile panels for the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle.

Exhibiton History

British Embassy, Tokyo Japan.
Samsung Museum, Kyonggi, Korea.
RIBA, London.
V&A , London.
Auckland, New Zealand.
Art Fair, Belgium
Potfests, UK.
Bluecoat, Liverpool.
Brantwood (Ruskin's House) Cumbria.
Stokoe House, Alston, Cumbria.
Tullie House, Carlisle.