Staff profile
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Job title: Senior Lecturer
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Dept: Media, Art and Design
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Tel:
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Campus: Canterbury
Born 1952. Studied at St. Albans College of Art (71-72), Graphic Design at Canterbury (72-75) and Ceramics at Medway (81-84) with David White, Geoffrey Whiting, Colin Pearson, Sidig El Nagoumi, John Pollox , Gary Standidge & Peter Beard. Studio based in Faversham since 1984.
Ceramic Work
I began my ceramics career by making functional work strongly influenced by the Leach tradition (from about 1980) but my ideas gradually evolved and led me to making ceramics that addressed more sculptural concerns, although my work was still mainly vessel based. Equally, I enjoyed addressing the relationship between form and surface which I regard to be at the heart of the aesthetic qualities of a ceramic work. I often explored ideas that contrasted textured, cratered or torn patchwork surfaces with very tightly drawn forms to create tension or duality. I have also been very concerned with the balance and often ambiguity, of positive and negative space using the flattened form and making my ceramic pieces in pairs or groups to exploit this.
Inspiration for my work mainly comes from nature; from geological formations to natural forms. The idea of repetitive rhythms that subtly but constantly change and the balance of symmetry and asymmetry holds a constant fascination. The work I have been producing of late has been informed by my previous ideas but the emphasis has changed. This recent work is concerned with form in as much as it exists to describe space and define surface. In particular I have been exploring the relationship between form, surface and space using the concept of modularity and the use of repetitive processes (throwing, extruding, slip casting) which are synonymous with the making of ceramics. I enjoy the idea of making ceramic sculpture that is informed by pottery processes and intentions. I have also been experimenting with additions of paper and other burnout materials and perlite bodies.
Exhibited widely in this country and abroad inc. U.S.A. & Japan. Work is held in both public and private collections. Commissions have been undertaken for larger scale work, and for design companies and television. Professional member of the C.P.A. Awarded various grants inc. the Arts Council.
Teaching
The discipline of striving to design and make my own work is a great asset in helping in the endeavour of fulfilling the ambitions of my students. My passion for ceramics is, I hope, reflected in my teaching, and I think makes one rigorous, caring and encouraging in this capacity.
I do not feel the need to define or confine those seeking to explore ceramics in terms of fine art or design - ceramics is often an all embracing medium and only limited by the ideas and aspirations of those choosing to explore clay and ceramic processes.