Peter Hayes British, b. 1946

Works
Overview

Peter has both travelled the world and potted around the world.  His fascination in the history of ceramics has taken him on an extraordinary journey to unique tribal  potters in the heart of  Africa through to  exploring and learning skills and techniques from small village potteries be they in Mexico, India, Nepal, Japan and beyond.

Peter says of his work:

"I have always been interested in why and how 'things' are made of clay. One of the major introductions I had to ceramics was digging Neolithic iron age and roman simian shards on archaeological digs somewhere in Wales while trying to survive as an art student in Birmingham. I am naturally drawn to shapes of artefacts and objects from other cultures and other times that remain timeless.

Erosion and change through time and nature are recorded in a piece. My main aim in my work is not to compete with nature; but for the work to evolve within the environment.  Minerals such as iron and copper that I introduce into the 'Raku' ceramic surface have their own effect on the clay. This process continues with sanding so that the texture and cracks do not interrupt the surface but become an organic, integral part of the patina. Each individual piece takes on its own developing surface, its own history and its own aesthetic. I am merely the maker."

In a recent catlaogue of his work Peter speaks of his approach in a wonderfully self deprecating manner - "in practice I go by the seat of my pants.  I have always worked this way, not going by any particular rules or methods."

It is unsurprising that his extraordinary work is held in public and private collections around the world.

Biography

Peter has both travelled the world and potted around the world.  His fascination in the history of ceramics has taken him on an extraordinary journey to unique tribal  potters in the heart of  Africa through to  exploring and learning skills and techniques from small village potteries be they in Mexico, India, Nepal, Japan and beyond.

Peter says of his work:

"I have always been interested in why and how 'things' are made of clay. One of the major introductions I had to ceramics was digging Neolithic iron age and Roman Samian shards on archaeological digs somewhere in Wales while trying to survive as an art student in Birmingham. I am naturally drawn to shapes of artefacts and objects from other cultures and other times that remain timeless.

Erosion and change through time and nature are recorded in a piece. My main aim in my work is not to compete with nature; but for the work to evolve within the environment.  Minerals such as iron and copper that I introduce into the 'Raku' ceramic surface have their own effect on the clay. This process continues with sanding so that the texture and cracks do not interrupt the surface but become an organic, integral part of the patina. Each individual piece takes on its own developing surface, its own history and its own aesthetic. I am merely the maker."

In a recent catlaogue of his work Peter speaks of his approach in a wonderfully self deprecating manner - "in practice I go by the seat of my pants.  I have always worked this way, not going by any particular rules or methods."

It is unsurprising that his extraordinary and beautiful work is held in public and private collections around the world.