Championing the very best independent ceramic makers for over 60 years

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.

 

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Meet Our Makers

All of our makers are members of the Craft Potters Association and each of them have a story to tell.

Phil Lyddon

Phil throws and hand-builds in various stoneware clays, making bowls, vases and sculptural forms. However, his main output is concentrated on small-scale porcelain and white stoneware bowls and bottles. They are exclusively hand thrown.

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Paul James

After completing an MA in Ceramics from the RCA in 1988, Paul moved to Italy and worked for Gucci on their home and perfume products, then into the world of leather goods and accessories. That seemed a natural progression from clay with his love of form, sculpture and respect for craftsmanship. This led to a 30-year career in Fashion accessories, moving to New York in the early 90s, becoming design director for Calvin Klein, Cole Haan, and COACH amongst others.

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Derek Matthews

Many of his sculptures start with a narrative that is either imagined, half remembered, carefully researched or commissioned. A love of whimsy, folk art, religious and tribal art, and his background as an illustrator, all go into the mix. His output is low and slow. Occasionally, Derek returns to a theme but, unless specifically designed as a set, every piece he creates is unique.

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Lise Herud Braten

Lise was born in Norway in 1974 and grew up surrounded by nature and the urban environment of Oslo. She trained as a bespoke women’s tailor before embarking on an Art and Design Foundation Course at Bournville, UCE, followed by a BA (Hons) in Fashion and Textile Design at Ravensbourne College, UK.

Her interest in ceramics as an alternative creative outlet started with short courses at Putney School of Art in 2012, where she continued her learning for several years before joining communal studios in London. After nearly 20 years working in fashion, Lise switched to ceramics full-time in 2019 and co-founded a London studio and gallery in 2020.

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Yo Thom

Yo Thom is a Japanese potter based in North Dorset. Her journey as a potter began when working for Lisa Hammond MBE in 1998 whilst studying ceramics in Kent. She trained as a functional thrower at Maze Hill Pottery, Greenwich, then set up her own studio in 2004. Yo relocated her pottery to North Dorset in 2009.

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Terry Bell-Hughes

Terry was born in Abergele in North Wales and is a graduate of the seminal Harrow Ceramics course, where he was taught by Victor Margie and Mick Casson. He worked with Denise and Rosemary Wren in Surrey before returning to North Wales in 1978 where he set up a studio with his wife Bev Bell-Hughes in Llandudno Junction.

His work is primarily in thrown, high-fired domestic pots, reflecting influences from both Oriental and British country ware.

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