|
David CleverlyDavid Cleverly was born and spent his formative years in Hastings, where he attended Hastings School of Art, before studying Fine Art [Painting] at Goldsmith’s College School of Art, London.
He moved to Devon 28 years ago and started making pottery at Haytown. Here he first made a range of brown domestic earthenware with modelled sprigging. David began making larger figures in 1992. Now the figures have taken over almost completely, with a proliferation of historical and mythological characters and their creatures. "I prefer to follow the strong English tradition of pottery, and borrow from late eighteenth and early nineteenth century Staffordshire makers, such as Walton, Wieldon and Sherratt, although my work differs in being hand built and individual, not press moulded production. I want a reasonable degree of representation, and often use appropriate words to add to the humour and enjoyment. Like the early potters, I refer to recognisable iconic figures from history and mythology. These usually interact with animals, but are given a humorous or surreal twist, enhanced by the wording. I also make single archetypal creatures." |