Mill Yard Studio Gallery, Cromford Mills, Cromford, Matlock, Derbyshire. DE4 2EB- ‘EUPHORIA’ EXHIBITION – 6th January – 28th February 2025.

The pieces of studio pottery that I have produced for Euphoria have their roots in Japanese traditions, in terms of imagery, concepts and techniques. Although I live in the Peak District and have not yet been to Japan, its traditions have found their way into my unconscious memory and ways of applying decoration to my work.  

I enjoy using the clay as a canvas. Once the form is made I work in a fluid way, forming designs and decoration from my memory bank as I work. I recall echoes of things seen in the recent past and long ago. Views and memories speak to me.

The blue/black series is inspired by Shakkei. This is ‘the art of Borrowed Scenery, taking elements and views from outside a garden and making them integral to … creation’ (The Garden of Evening Mists – Tan Twan Eng (2012)). Shakkei is usually used in gardens, where views are incorporated into the setting and become part of the design. I have transferred the concept to apply views and features of the garden to my ceramic designs. 

The purple series of pots is inspired by a card from a Japanese card game called Hanafuda. I have these cards in my collection of beautiful objects. The purple element in  my pots is from the wisteria flower illustrated on the card. 

These ideas include gardens of earthly delights, plants, leaves, ferns, trees, suns, moons, magic and mystery, blue and purple on black and night time beauty and white.

All my work uses coloured slips and underglazes, and is a contemporary type of slipware. Slip is clay and water which is applied to the unfired work. This method of applying liquid clay to pots is an ancient technique that has been used for centuries all over the world. 

Elaborate English slipware dishes for display were made in the 17th century in Stoke-on-Trent. These slipware techniques were revived and adapted by Bernard Leach in the early 20th century. He and Shoji Hamada re-introduced English slipware to Japan where it has had a significant influence and is much admired and respected. 

In my work I use some traditional slipware techniques in contemporary ways.

ACAVA Studios Exhibition – Spode Works, Stoke-on-Trent. 30th November 2024 – 18th December 2024.

The Green Man Gallery, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6PY. Sadly this gallery/ stockist is closing its doors forever on 22nd December 2024. I have been selling my work there for many years.

The Old Lock Up Gallery, 19 The Hill, Swifts Hollow, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3RF has a regular update of my pots. They are all individually chosen by the director Rachael who visits my workshop/display to select pieces.

Wardlow Mires Pottery & Food Festival 2024

I will be showing my work at the very prestigious Wardlow Mires Pottery & Food Festival, hosted in a marquee in a field near to The Three Stags Head, Wardlow Mires, Wardlow, Derbyshire SK17 8RW on Saturday 7th September and Sunday 8th September 2024.

See the catalogue and further information on the following link: https://www.potsandfood.co.uk

Leek Open Studios -Meet the Maker. Saturday 21st September 2024. 10-4pm

Buxton & Leek College, Stockwell Street, Leek

WWW.LEEKOPENSTUDIOS.ORG

Open 24

  • 10th February till 3rd March 2024. Open Friday – Sunday, 10-5pm. I am one of 35 artists selected to have work in this Open Exhibition. I have two wall-mounted slip-decorated ceramic platters on display. Visit The Old Lock Up Gallery, 19 The Hill, Swifts Hollow, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3RF.

British Ceramics Biennial, All Saints Church, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 3HH

23rd September to 5th November 2023.

As an Associate Artist with BCB I am one of a team working in The Tactile Project Space. This is a tile making activity for the public to engage in, with ecological and environmental considerations and connections with Stoke-on-Trent’s rich tile making heritage.

Stockists:

I also have work for sale in the in the following places:

The Old Lock Up Gallery, 19 The Hill, Swifts Hollow, Cromford, Derbyshire DE4 3RF

The Moorland Cafe, Market Hall, Market Place, Longnor, Buxton SK17 0NT

The Art Barn, Oakenclough Hall, Longnor, Buxton SK17 0QS (by appointment)

Lead Yellow Antiques, Rutland Square, Bakewell, DE45 1BT

Homeward Studios, 60b St Edward Street, Leek, ST13 5DL