Contemporary Ceramics gallery and shop exhibits the greatest collectable names in British ceramics along with the most up and coming artists of today. Our distinguished makers are all carefully selected members of the Craft Potters Association.
All of our makers are members of the Craft Potters Association and each of them have a story to tell.
For this new exhibition, Jane will be showing a group of hemispherical double walled bowls mixed with different organic and man-made materials collected randomly, each a metaphor for memory and words. Using combinations of press moulding, coiling and slabbing processes before burnishing the surface, her pieces are then low fired and then refined with sandpaper followed by a higher temperature firing.
Stephen’s first pots were made at Soham Grammar School in the late 1960s-early 70s where his art teacher and early mentor, Peter Askem helped and encouraged his to move onto the Foundation Course in Art and Design at Cambridge College of Arts and Technology.
He then progressed onto the BA Hons course in 3D Design (Ceramics) at West Surrey College of Art and Design, Farnham. The tutors and visiting lecturers at Farnham included Sebastian Blackie and Mo Jupp. Stephen found the ‘Farnham experience’ to be life changing.
Akiko Hirai produces both practical and decorative ceramic ware that is held in private collections and museums worldwide. Her Japanese background and aesthetics strongly influence her ceramic work while her pieces are also perfectly rooted in contemporary designs.
Matthew’s work explores the links between ceramics and geology and place, making pieces entirely from geological samples that he has collected from specific locations around the country, and that illustrate the ceramic qualities inherent in these materials.
The passage of time and change observed in urban and rural landscapes has always been central to the themes Dennis explores in his work. The process of archaeology and its concern with time and layers has also greatly influenced the way in which he expresses his ideas. Architectural fragments, marks on the landscape, multi-layered and over painted surfaces, have all influenced the way he works in clay.
Bridget started making pots full-time while living in Scotland in 1976. At first, she made domestic stoneware, firing in a gas kiln and gained skills in all aspects of pottery. Having had no formal training Bridget’s determination and hard work meant she gradually developed her own technique.
She has always loved porcelain and gradually changed over to this material finding that it suited the style of work she was searching for. Eastern ceramics were very influential and she loved the Chinese and Korean shapes and glazes.
