Dark peak

(2008-2013)

Pitch peat black, the soft purple of heather, scratchy bracken tan, shades of soft green to ochre of reflected sun on meadows, aubergine to stoney greys of weathered stone, exposed and shivering moors……..

The invaluable time I spent as assistant to Robin Welch in preparation for his solo exhibition at Rufford Craft Centre in 2007, fuelled a desire to expand both glaze and form development. A nine week residency at Rufford Craft Centre opened that door to the introduction of an extensive natural palette to partner the natural qualities of the clay. I wanted to mirror the mood and coloration of the Dark Peak area in Derbyshire, which is where I frequently go for long walks. Experiments with scale, assorted clays, and handbuilding techniques resulted in a new directness, urgency and confidence in the work.

Photography by David Binch