The pottery was set up by Alan Birchall in 2004 in a purpose built extension at his home which also housed a small gym now changed into a showroom! All work is made and fired on-site.

About me

I developed an interest in pottery quite by chance at the age of 19 whilst passing a ceramics department in a local college where I was studying science. I immediately started to do non-vocational pottery evening classes and continued for some two years but stopped when I went on to study medicine. Some 35 years later after an enjoyable career as a general practitioner I took early retirement in order to pursue my love of ceramics.

In the intervening years I developed an eclectic taste in pots initially stimulated by a patient whose house was re-mortgaged to fill it with a wide range of ceramics, sculpture and ethnic art, ranging from early English salt-glaze ware to Epstein bronzes and African effigies. Home visits were always essential to deal with his medical problems! The stimulus to collect and to make was sown, but it wasn’t until retirement that time allowed the making to become a reality. 

A City & Guilds certificate and diploma from Broxtowe College, in addition to a University of Derby ceramics diploma, has given me a sound grounding in all aspects of ceramics. I have  also studied aspects of Chinese calligraphy and painting. Attending a two week course under the guidance of the Japanese master, Matsuzaki Ken, now a National Living treasure, was a major influence on my further development, as was a visit to China in March 2006. I have also gained considerably from attending a two week pottery course run by David and Margaret Frith and Nic Collins kiln building /woodfiring workshop.  

Artist’s Statement

Starting in ceramics at this stage of my life has given me the freedom to develop my pottery as I wish. I am able to indulge my interests in any direction that appeals to me. My inspiration is influenced by many sources but there are two significant themes.

 

Elements of Oriental philosophy, especially Zen and Wabi-sabi in relation to ceramics has a resonance with that of my own. I have a preference for simplicity in ceramics and  like the concept of finding “beauty in the impermanent, imperfect and the incomplete, in things modest and humble and in the unconventional”.

 

The other main inspirational influence is the natural world particularly geological formations and flora.

 

At the moment I make mainly thrown and some hand-built ceramics principally in stoneware, my glazes are based on traditional oriental recipes and and often incorporate natural wood ashes. Until recently most of my pots were reduction fired in a propane gas kiln. I have recently built my own wood-firing kiln and am enjoying the wonderful effects natural ash and the raw flame can produce. Each firing allows me to discover and explore new effects.