The potters wheels at the Dunbar Pottery are run by a foot powered treadle. Ives Pottery, in Cornwall England are quite tall and well designed for making smaller utilitarian pots. Such is our production. Consistent with their namesake designer, our wheels produce bowls, cups, plates, vases, teapots, storage jars, casseroles, etc. Our primary influences in these objects are those of the pre-industr
ial, small scale, workshop potteries of many European and Asian cultures and early twentieth century studio ceramics. The goal in continuing to pursue these forms is to address the senses of sight and touch while maintaining the very important element of spontaneity of process within the discipline of the traditional tools of wheel and fire. This is ware for the kitchen and home and can be both contemplative and functional, best appreciated in the context of daily life. We consider our work to be Art of the highest order, but art which informs the quotidian rather than the pedestal. We mix all are own clay and glazes from raw materials. Our clay body is a continuing work in progress. The ideal that we seek is a functional body of a warm brown colour with some texture when left unglazed. Our glazes are based on traditional Japanese and Chinese recipes. The work is reduction fired in a gas kiln to cone 10 (1200 c.) The kiln is large and we are able to fill it 5-6 times a year. We have worked together at the Dunbar Pottery since 2007. After many years of making pots both separately and together we continue to have fun, which we hope you find reflected in the pots. When you think about these pots, imagine holding them warm in your hand full of aromatic tea or fresh from the oven bubbling with noodles and cheese and contemplate the continuing history of these objects. This bespeaks their real function: to complement our daily life.
