Andrew has been making ceramics since 2002. His interest first started with Bonsai in 1993, where the pot is an intrinsic part of the finished image. After Andrew was introduced to ceramics and purchasing a small electric kiln he began making for his own enjoyment. Members of his local Bonsai club began asking him to make pots for their trees and also selling to a local Bonsai nursery.
Andrew gained a lot of his inspiration from other great potters which drove him to search for his own individual style, however Japanese ceramics always, and still does, have a huge influence. Over the years Andrew attended several courses at colleges and universities in his quest to improve both his throwing skills and glaze formula. In the early part of 2003 Andrew purchased a potter’s wheel and a 9 cubic foot gas kiln. Again, there was another learning curve with new glaze recipes and reduction firing. Eventually he progressed enough to sell his Bonsai ceramics all over Europe via shows and from his website under the name of Stone Monkey Ceramics
Andrews interest in Studio Ceramics has also led him to deviate from the field of Bonsai Ceramics on a different but complimentary journey. Andrew is an avid fan of the “Leach Tradition” as this stemmed from the Japanese ethos of producing pottery of which he tries to portray in his work. Andrew loves subtle lines and quiet forms, the ceramic pieces he creates must have “Wabi-Sabi” – beauty in in-perfection. In 2010 he saw the Japanese potter Ryoji Koie at a demonstration at the V&A Museum, which had a huge impact on the way he works now and how he approaches the clay. Andrew likes to think that his ceramics have a voice and are an extension of himself, embodying a little of his way of freedom, spirit and life.Bonsai ceramics form the backbone of Andrews repertoire, and it is a form that he associates closely with. The Japanese write Bonsai with two Kanji, the first meaning pot and the second meaning planting. One without the other is not Bonsai and the pot in which the tree sits is an essential part of the finished image. In 2015 Andrew was accepted to enter pots in the prestigious Gafu Ten show in Tokyo and was privileged to have been awarded the Gold Award for the unglazed category of bonsai pots.
For more information visit www.stonemonkeyceramics.co.uk
Display of members work: We would like to see examples of your work! It’s always nice to see what people are making.
‘Exchange and Mart’ – there will be tables for small items for sale or exchange
Lunch. We have re introduced pot luck lunch. Please bring a plate of food to share, either savoury, salad or cake, put your contribution on the table when you arrive. Cold food only please. Alternatively bring your own. Don’t forget to bring your own mug! We still need volunteers to take the cling film etc. off shortly before lunch and to set up the urns and cups for tea and coffee (so people can help themselves). Cakes will be served at lunchtime, to avoid crumbs later in the day! We also need volunteers to help set up from 9am and pack away at the end of the day.
Queries about lunches, please contact Trudy at email mailto:[email protected]
Directions – Mundford is at the junction of the A134 and A1065, north of Thetford. Village Hall – IP26 5DW
Please book using the form below. You can also book by downloading a form from here, and sending to Trudy at the address on the form.
