How do you describe what you do?
I am a potter making functional hand-thrown slipware
How did you start in art / design?
I started to explore making when I was 18 years old on my foundation course in Hartlepool, Cleveland in 1990.
What makes your work and/or process unique?
I think every potter's work is unique, clay is such an adaptable material that anything you make takes on the unique character of the artist.
What other artists or makers do you admire? Why?
I admire a lot of potter's work, it's so difficult to narrow it down to few, I love pioneer potters like Lucie Rie, Mick Casson, Jim Malone and Shoji Hamada but I also love up and coming potters like Charlie Collier and Frances Savage. I think all the pots I like have the same thing in common an effortless beauty that hasn't been forced. Clive Bowen once said 'the best pots are born not made' I never understood it at the time but I think I do now.
When you have the dreaded creative block, where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?
I learnt a clever trick from a fellow professional who said "activity stimulates creativity" what they meant was that if you go to the workshop and do something menial like mixing glaze or cleaning your tools, while you are doing this ideas will pop into your head (thankfully there is a lot of menial preparation in making pottery).
What advice/tips would you give to someone who is interested in starting what you do?
Understand it will take a while to get to a professional level with thrown ware, like learning guitar or anything skill based it takes time. Don't be put off by meagre sales at first. A lot of people follow you and buy later, you build up a reputation and the sales will come. You'll never be rich but you can live as a professional artist and what you lose in financial gain is made up in doing something you love every day.
Are there any exciting events/projects/experiences in the near future you want to share about?
I exhibited at York with the CPA last month and I'm looking forward to exhibitions with the Suffolk Crafts Society including a new Colchester show at the Minories in May, I'm also exhibiting at Ceramic Wales in June and Potfest Haughley House in August
What made you feel like, "yes this is something I want in my life"?
Anybody who has thrown on a wheel will know what a pull it has. From the moment I started I was hooked. I wanted to master it, I'm still trying to.
Where do you want to see yourself in the future with this journey? Do you want this to be a long term?
Yes I can imagine making pottery will be a lifelong journey understanding and mastering ceramics could occupy several lifetimes.
What made you want to teach ceramics?
As I've got older I have realised that I know a lot about ceramics and more and more degree courses have closed. I'm glad Clay College has started up in an effort to address this balance but I feel we all have a responsibility to help each other so that experience and knowledge can be shared and not lost.
If someone wanted to get into teaching, what would you recommend? Any educational paths like courses or degrees that you’d recommend looking into?
I did a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) at Colchester Institute.
In the near future you will be giving classes at the makerspace. What should we expect to learn in these classes?
I'm thinking a throwing workshop aimed at advanced or experienced makers. This workshop will deal with advanced techniques such as production throwing, large scale throwing, joining composite thrown pieces, throwing off the hump and making complicated forms like teapots, lidded vessels and enclosed/bottle forms. It will be suitable for those who wish to master the skill or have specific problems in their technique they want help with.
Why is Colchester Makerspace important to you/or and your work?
I really am an absolute beginner to the space so will need your help to get used to things. Something I'm looking forward to is working in a shared studio and meeting new people. I generally spend a lot of time alone in my studio making stock for the summer shows and galleries and it can be a bit solitary. Makerspace will be a nice change of pace and I'm looking forward to meeting you all.
Neville’s work will be on display and available to buy from April 16th at Patch in front of the Makerspace at Trinity Works.
Below is Neville’s socials where you can see more of his pieces and contact him with any interest of purchasing!