Steve Freer - Ceramics

Steve is a self-taught potter who, after a career in television, learnt ceramics at a local evening class. He has developed original ways of printing onto clay and creates vases decorated with images of animals. Steve uses a number of different techniques including wheel throwing and hand building. He also works with the ancient Japanese technique of raku firing.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I initially studied painting at art college but never pursued it as a career, instead becoming a documentary film director and producer making arts and music programmes for the BBC.

I first started making ceramics at an evening class in Ross-on-Wye as a way of reconnecting with my younger self and soon became hooked. I now have my own small studio and am a member of CUP Ceramics in Hereford, an open access workshop which brings together potters from across the county.

 Most of my pots are raku fired, a method which originated in 15th century Japan. It involves a fast intense firing to 100 degrees after which the red-hot pots are covered in paper and sawdust which burst into flames. The pots are still porous so the smoke that’s created is absorbed into the unglazed sections creating the patterns and designs. It’s an exciting process which can be quite unpredictable but produces some wonderful results.

I’ve been making ceramics since 2013 and still find it endlessly fascinating. There’s so much to learn and so many skills to try and get right.

INSTAGRAM – steve.freer.50