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I have been
making ceramics for the last 30
years and, during that time, I have used many different
techniques and materials. Currently, I am working with
specially prepared black porcelain which I fire to a high
temperature (1260 C) with the subsequent glaze, engobe and
lustre firings at lower temperature.
Having studied
Studio Ceramics at university from 1981 to 1984, I then
spent some time working as a designer in the ceramic
industry including Wedgwood. This has given me a broader
appreciation of ceramics and techniques. Notably, the
artware produced by Royal Doulton in the late 19th
and early 20th century. Also, Ruskin, Bernard
Moore, Pilkingtons Royal Lancastrian along with French
potters such as Auguste Delaherche and Clement Massier. I
am influenced by 20th century art, particularly
Kandinsky, Malevich, Mondrian, Nicholson, Brancusi and
Rodchenko.
I am also
inspired by my own experiences in an indirect way. For
example, on a recent flight to Egypt, I was struck by the
contrasting colours I saw when flying over the different
landscapes. The turquoise of the Mediterranean juxtaposed
with the rich reds of the desert and the verdant green of
the Nile Delta. Strong lines and angles formed by
agriculture and coastline. Initially, I am not looking at
this and consciously thinking of ways to incorporate it into
my work. I do not want to superficially duplicate it. But,
it is absorbed and combined with all the other influences
built up over a lifetime so that, eventually it appears as
an idea in the future
I love things
which are interesting, varied, engaging and beautiful. I
personally don’t respond to everything being uniform and
minimal because it bores me. So, in my work, I try to
achieve layers of interest using colour, texture and form.
It is the combination of human judgment and technique which
I find exciting and challenging. All my pieces encourage
the viewer to rotate them, even slightly, so as to reveal
different visual relationships.
My work is
constantly evolving as I take the risks that are necessary
for growth and it is defined by the willingness to take
these risks and bear the consequences.
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