Richard Goodwin-Jones - Artist's Statement

Richard designs and makes a range of ceramics and has worked solely with Raku* since leaving college in 1984. The simple structures of his work direct attention towards the unpredictable colours and textures that are created by the Raku firing process. The final effects can be either subtle and understated or surprisingly rich and dramatic.

All the pieces are made using a combination of hand building, press moulding techniques - a process preferred by the artist, who enjoys the flexibility of constructing a piece from several sections of clay. Recently he has introduced slip-casting techniques to help with the production process.

Richard has developed a highly successful range of stylised boats, which are produced as 2D and 3D pieces. The colours and textures he finds within the harbours, boatyards and coastline of Cornwall, where he lived for 5 years, are the main inspiration for his work. In particular is his love of 'rusty' old hulls. His more recent work is also influenced by the coastline of Brittany, France.

He uses the Raku technique to reproduce similar effects on his work.

More recently, Richard introduced the new lighthouse designs, which are a very popular addition to the current collection.

He also creates one-off and larger items that are availble as exhibition pieces - including sculptural forms and non-functional vessels.

In 2008 Richard moved to the Cote D'Armor region of Brittany where, with the help of his wife Julie, he continues to develop work with a nautical theme from their newly converted studio. In their spare time they are busy renovating their old farmhouse and settling into 'la vie en France'.

*Raku is an ancient Japanese method of firing ceramics. Items are removed from a kiln at 1000 degrees C when they are red hot, and placed onto combustible materials. They are engulfed by flames and then covered - to reduce the supply of oxygen. Heat and smoke react with glaze to create unique and characteristic effects.

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