How did working with Philip Wood help you?
He was a good mentor, very patient with my learning, pushing me in the right way and allowing me to develop rather than trying to force me to do anything I wasn’t ready for. When I decided to apply for a degree course he gave me his full support.
Why did you move from functional work into sculpture?
When I went to college, the idea was to develop my own style of functional pottery. But I started experimenting more, getting into form and looking at sculpture and constructivist art, and that’s what drew me away from function.
© Steve Thearle
How do you approach your work now?
I’m very much a forward thinker – why just do what’s been done before? Take a traditional technique and do something new with it. Clay is such a versatile medium, you can do so much with it. The possibilities are pretty much endless.
What do you love about what you do?
I just love making, it’s the process really, I love seeing the work grow as I am constructing it. I never get bored of it, however repetitive my work is, which I think must be something in me. Then when you open a kiln and something’s fired very well, it’s a real bonus.