John Kershaw's unique clay work

John Kershaw's detail of a distorted dish

John Kersaw set up his workshop and showroom in 1972 and for many years produced functional pottery.

But now he likes to work in a much freer way, producing individual pieces of work.

Most of his work is thrown on the wheel, as he likes the action of its creation and the form and detail that it produces.

The clay is fired first at 900C and then at 1270C for the glaze.

Lifted out red hot

John likes creating strong contrasting textures of clay and glaze, often using powdered clays on the wet thrown body to build up a heavily encrusted surface.

Large plate with splashes - John Kershaw

He also has a taste for ancient and primitive pottery, as the means of its production is direct and simple, and he says "Because ancient artefacts are disconnected from their time and immediate function, which gives them great peacefulness."

John also works with the Raku technique, where pots are fired very rapidly in a small gas kiln before being lifted out red hot, and buried in sawdust. The ensuing combustion blackening the exposed clay and producing rich iridescent colours in the glaze.

In pictures: John Kershaw pottery

Calling all the Cumbrian artists