Barry Stedman

Barry's ceramics are that of a painter, and there is a strong connection for him between the way he throws soft responsive clay and his approach to drawing and painting.

Strong, fluid decoration typify his pots. The qualities of texture, energy of applied glazes and variety of colour from lightly applied subtle layers to vibrant splashes give his work a joyful, vibrant feel. Thrown on the wheel, his pots are manipulated into irregular, but simple shapes, and low fired to enhance the colour.

He works intuitively, endeavouring to make lively and spontaneous marks and gestures, attempting to be fluent and energetic, seeking some sort of meaning and coherence, trying to recognise the moment just before the work goes too far and loses its freshness.

Barry changed career and retrained as a potter at Harrow, graduating in 2009 with a first class degree. He has since worked with Edmund de Waal, and taught 3D Design Crafts. His ceramics have been shown at Hatfield, Rufford and Farnham, and at a selection of galleries in England.

I have a series of new pots in our Autumn Exhibition in Ditchling.