Nick Rees
Born 1949, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset
Nick Rees works as master potter for John Leach at Muchelney Pottery, hand-throwing a repeat range of stoneware kitchen pots and everyday tableware, as well as making individual signed pieces, mainly bottle and bowl forms in wood-fired stoneware.
Nick has worked with John Leach at the Pottery since 1972. The continuing success of the Muchelney classic range owes much to Nick’s deft hand, critical eye, and skills in managing the firing of the three-chambered wood-fired kiln. His individual pots share the Leach tradition – reinterpreted with subtle alterations, segmented, flattened or carved to accentuate the form. Using both stoneware and porcelain, the inspiration is obvious, yet the touch is soft and refined.
Technical Information
A three-chambered climbing kiln of 350 cu.ft is used, wood-fired to 1320 degrees Celsius over a period of about 34 hours. Personal glazes include: blue/black tenmoku, tessha and porcelain slip.
History
1967-70 Creative Design Teaching course at Loughborough College of Education
1970-72 Teaching, woodwork and technical drawing at Cardinal Wiseman R.C. boys Comprehensive School, Coventry
1972 started apprenticeship with John Leach
1982 elected full member of Somerset Guild of Craftsmen
1984 Study tour of Nigeria with John Leach
1990 First solo exhibition, Bettles Gallery
1993 Key Man Celebration – exhibition and open weekend to commemorate 21 years at Muchelney Pottery
1995 elected professional member of the Craft Potters’ Association
1998 elected fellow of Craft Potters’ Association
Selected Exhibitions
1990 Bettles Gallery, Ringwood, Hampshire
1991 Yeovil Arts Centre, joint exhibition with John Leach
1992 Alpha House Gallery, Sherbourne, Dorset, solo show
1994 Alpha House Gallery, International Fine Ceramics, group exhibition
1995 Church House Designs, Congresbury, Bristol, solo show
1996 Pyramid Gallery, York, group exhibition
Rufford Craft Centre, Nottinghamshire – ‘Ash Glazes’, group exhibiton
Bettles Gallery, solo show
1997 Church House Designs – solo show
2000 Walker Galleries, Honiton, Devon – Ceramics 2000, group exhibition