Richard Downing

Richard Downing lives and works across the estuary on the outskirts of Talybont. The vessels at Artworks are thrown on a ‘60s Leach (kick) wheel, using a fine stoneware clay. These are then burnished before being bisque, and then pit-fired, using waste wood, straw and sawdust. The extraordinary colours are achieved by the combination of fire and found combustibles including seaweed, salt, copper, iron, horsehair and ferns – a deliberately chaotic process making each piece unique and unrepeatable. The vessels are finally hand-polished with a micro-crystaline wax, and the results are often likened to the colour, grain and feel of marble.

Please note that the finish is achieved by the technique (not commercial glazes) so the clay remains porous and not intended to contain water.

Contact Richard via ArtWorks