Pembrokeshire based ceramic artist, Richard Prentice, is pleased to announce that his contemporary ceramic colliery pots are to be shown a part of Welsh Art Week and Wales Week in London. The event, organised by The Gallery Yr Oriel, brings together a number of Welsh artists and events over the week of St. David’s Day.

Colliery pots are designed to reflect the historical coal mining industry of south Pembrokeshire, their forms reflecting the derelict buildings that serviced the local coal mines. Pembrokeshire anthracite was top quality smokeless coal, shiny and clean as a precious stone. You could handle it without getting your fingers black and it was prized throughout the country as far back as the Elizabethan era. It is reported that Queen Victoria insisted coal for the Royal residence came from Saundersfoot.

Each colliery pot is hand made using a clay that contains high levels of oxides and is grainy in texture; when fired it has a beautiful black finish.

“I use two techniques to create these pieces, slab work for the main body and hand throwing for the chimney,” said Richard. “Engraved texture on each piece creates a random design. Following bisque and glaze firing, I add fine detail with gold, platinum, copper and black lustres into the texture of the pieces before a final third firing.”

Blackbird Ceramics, Studio Pottery by Richard Prentice, opened in July 2016 and is based in the harbour village of Saundersfoot. Richard’s small gallery near the harbour displays his work that is influenced by west coast living and the beautiful scenery and history that Pembrokeshire offers; taking classical ceramic designs and making them contemporary and relevant.

“Whilst making bespoke pieces for the gallery, and client commissions, my current main body of work includes colliery pots and sea globes that are influenced by the beautiful coastline where I live,” he said. “After such a short time since opening my studio pottery my work has sold to clients throughout the UK and internationally to the United States, Germany, New Zealand and Canada.