I am both a craft potter and ceramic artist, that is to say I have studied and practised the many skills of the pottery craft and that has given me the tools to express myself in my sculptural pieces.

I was introduced to pottery at school, aged 12. We were lucky to have a dedicated art studio separate from the main school campus in Malmesbury. The pottery teacher was Eric Bullion and he provided the enthusiasm for the art and taught us throwing and hand building techniques.

I enjoyed throwing and hand building equally and still do to this day.

I took art at O and A Level and went on to an Art Foundation course at Swindon College before a degree in Ceramics at Middlesex Polytechnic. This was a 4 year sandwich course which allowed you to get work experience in your 3rd year.

We had a diverse set of tutors; Neil French makes figurative pieces and portrait sculptures, Mo Jupp made sculptural figures, Emmanuel Cooper was a thrower and exceptional glaze specialist and Kate Malone who produces vessels influenced by nature.

Emmanuel Cooper taught glaze technology as well as throwing. I still use his glaze recipe books as my go to guides, although they are a little dog eared now.

In my sandwich year I worked for John Huggins at his Courtyard Pottery in Groundwell, Swindon. John produced garden ware on a huge scale. His ability to throw large vessels was incredible.

I learnt a lot, from clay production, mould making, throwing and kiln building. I returned to work there after college and also manned his stand at the Chelsea Flower show for 2 years. He has since moved to Ruardean Garden Pottery in the Forest of Dean.

The other opportunity during that year was to work for David Roberts at his studio in Holmfirth. He produces beautiful raku fired vessels that are famous around the world. I did a lot of clay prep and slip tests for his smoked, crazed decorative finishes. I also like to think I helped educate him on the finer points of malt whiskey!

After 30 years of being in IT, I stopped in 2022 and made the decision to go back to being a full time potter.

During the pandemic lock down I built a studio in the garden of our house in Wiltshire, bought a kiln and a wheel, ordered loads of material and started making.

Although I prefer making sculptural figures, I do enjoy the technical craft of making lidded vessels and small runs of domestic ware. I now split my time making and rebuilding our house which is very old…

In the Spring and Summer I run workshops in throwing, hand building and Raku firing. I do some one on one teaching and am happy to discuss taking on students if time allows.

I sell my work online, at Artist & Makers Markets and recently through the Corsham Gallery.

I am happy to discuss commissioned work so please feel free to get in contact. My main display site is on Instagram: @iansmedleyceramics.