Richard Godfrey (1949 – 13 December 2014) was an English

studio potter Studio pottery is pottery made by professional and amateur ceramists working alone or in small groups, making unique items or short runs, especially those that are not intended for daily use as crockery. Typically, all stages of manufacture are ...

working in Battisborough Cross,

Devon Devon ( ; historically also known as Devonshire , ) is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel to the north, Somerset and Dorset to the east, the English Channel to the south, and Cornwall to the west ...

England.

Early life and education

Godfrey graduated from Bristol School of Art in 1972 having been taught by Gillian Lowndes.

Career

From 1973 to 1981 he was Head of Art and Deputy Headmaster at Battisborough International School, Devon which was founded by

Kurt Hahn Kurt Matthias Robert Martin Hahn (5 June 1886 – 14 December 1974) was a German educator. He was decisive in founding Stiftung Louisenlund, Schule Schloss Salem, Gordonstoun, Outward Bound, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and the first of the U ...

. Having set up his first workshop, he made production thrown ware for Cranks restaurant. Godfrey was a fellow of the

Craft Potters Association The Craft Potters Association (CPA) is an association of potters formed in 1958 in London. It has two wholly owned operating companies: Craftsmen Potters Trading Company Ltd and Ceramic Review Publishing Ltd. It owns a shop and gallery, the Con ...

and known primarily for his brightly coloured

earthenware Earthenware is glazed or unglazed Vitrification#Ceramics, nonvitreous pottery that has normally been fired below . Basic earthenware, often called terracotta, absorbs liquids such as water. However, earthenware can be made impervious to liquids ...

pottery which used composite underglaze patterns. Godfrey won the Bronze award at the European Ceramics Competition in Athens 2004 and at the Art in Clay festival in 2013 he was voted winner of the Valentine Clays Peers Award for best contribution to the festival. He lectured, demonstrated and exhibited widely and was the subject of two television documentaries. Godfrey's work combined thrown and hand built forms made with white earthenware clay, inspired by observing his surroundings and found objects. His teapots were often made using non traditional press moulding techniques, utilising cut cardboard boxes. Potter Hannah McAndrew described his work as "bright beasts, immaculately made, vibrant and smiling". Godfrey died on 13 December 2014 after suffering with cancer for two years.

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Godfrey, Richard 1949 births 2014 deaths English potters English ceramicists Artists from Devon