David Allnatt

David was born in South London and trained in Graphics and 3D design. After working in art education for many years, specialising in ceramics, he took early retirement to concentrate on his own work and established his own workshop in the Forest of Dean where he now produces a range of hand-built ceramics.

The forms and textures of David’s work are inspired by the natural world and the effects of ageing, corrosion, and erosion. The textured surfaces suggest the wearing away by wind, and the drying and bleaching of the sun.

Each piece is constructed using hand-building techniques incorporating slabbing, coiling and press moulding. He sometimes uses simple plaster moulds which he designs and makes himself.

The work is assembled using a sandy red earthenware clay body by joining sections together. When leather hard the assembled pieces are often carved and incised before being decorated with coloured slips. After bisque firing, a number of dry matt glazes are applied. The pieces are then fired to 1060 degrees. Glaze is often rubbed back and re-applied between firings in order to produce a strong surface texture and pattern.

David’s work has been featured in many major exhibitions in the UK and abroad and are housed in both public and private collections.