At the weekend I attended the 2109 Crafts in the Pen event in Skipton. I was happy to meet John Hermansen for the second time at this event and admire his work once again. John has had an interesting career which began in photography. He travelled to Russia, Afghanistan, the Far East and into Australia. In New Zealand he met Harry Davis, a well known English potter, who introduced him to pottery. On his return to England, he qualified in ceramics and started his own studio, which grew into a manufacturing business supplying kitchen-ware to most department stores in the UK, as well as exporting.
His life has now turned full-circle and, approaching his 80s, is back to studio pottery again. He uses a crank clay as well as buff body to explore endless shapes and forms as well as developing new glazes (and is totally enjoying the challenge).
I admire his work, as I consider it to be 'honest pottery', beautifully simple in form and finished to perfection, hence more soup bowls for the kitchen shelves!
Last week in the glaze room, Dave and Rob were talking to the group about woodfiring and saltglazing and I was delighted to find a traditional potter who woodfires and saltglazes at his studio in Hexham, Northumberland. This talented young man is David Lawson with whom I discussed the perils and triumphs of both.
I admire the traditional style and beauty of David's throwing and decorative skills and at some point during my MA I would love to experience both woodfiring and saltglazing.
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