I'm a potter, based in an idyllic setting on the South Devon coast, with a studio overlooking the sea. The surrounding coastline is the main source of inspiration for my work.
I have a large collection of found objects gleaned from the high tide line, and I draw and photograph the coast extensively. I am also inspired by the patterns of colour and tone in the hedgerows and by smaller details like butterfly and moth wings, insects and wild flowers.
I find the chemistry of glazes and the infinite variations in forming techniques fascinating. I am constantly testing new material and techniques, driven by a need and desire to make new work, which is an expression of the joy and pleasure I get from living and working in Devon. Richard Godfrey.
My desire to express myself thorough art started at an early age, messing about with clay in our garden in Harrow on the Hill. We moved to Plymouth and I was fortunate to be taught to paint by Wyn George. Wyn was a great influence and through his teaching I learnt to look for colour and form and to use drawing as a tool to develop ideas. At sixteen I went with my family to live in Gibraltar. It is difficult to explain what an enormous impact this had on me, but I found myself surrounded by the deep and vibrant colours of the Mediterranean. This had an immediate effect on my paintings, I just couldn't put the brushes down, I painted in every spare minute. I had studied Maths and Physics at 'A' level along with Art, with a view to becoming an Architect. After the exams, I was at a loose end and quite by chance found myself at an evening class in ceramics. I touched the clay, and like so many others was instantly hooked.
Instead of going to York to study Architecture as planned, I went back to Plymouth to do my foundation year. Big influences here were Chris Smith (Ceramics) who taught me how to throw and Dave Patten (Sculpture), both of whom gave me the self-belief and determination so vital to someone who spends their life working alone trying to create things out of clay.
I managed to get a job teaching at a comprehensive school in Plymouth. It was a tough job, but it helped me get my foot on the first rung of the ladder. I then went on to teach at an international boarding school where I became deputy head. This was a great time for me and I still get letters and visits from the students thirty years later. It wasn't enough though and full time clay was calling. I handed in my notice and started work as a Potter
My first workshop was on a farm that was open to the public. I made a range of traditional slip decorated domestic ware; it was simple and honest, and it enabled me to earn a living while I re-learnt the basic skills and developed new work and glazes. I enjoyed making boards and boards of the same thing and got a big kick out of looking at the day's work spread out on every available flat surface.
Soon this wasn't enough either, I needed to make something that was entirely mine, something that drew little from tradition, something that leapt and danced with those Mediterranean colours that were still so much a part of me. That journey continues today as I discover a deeper love for and desire to express the beautiful place where I live. Richard Godfrey.
Richard Godfrey graduated from Bristol School of Art in 1972 where he was taught by Gillian Lowndes and Ian Auld. There was also a host of visiting lecturers, Michael Cardew and David Leach among them. There he learnt basic techniques, hand building, throwing, kiln building and firing and developed a love of glaze making and experimentation.
From 1973 to 1981 he was Head of Art and Deputy Headmaster at Battisborough International School, Devon which was founded by Kurt Hahn, who established Gordonstoun School in Scotland and was the founder of Outward Bound and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Having set up his first workshop, he made production thrown ware for Cranks restaurant. Godfrey was a fellow of the Craft Potters Association and known primarily for his brightly coloured earthenware 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 worked from his studio at Battisborough Cross in South Devon. He died on 13 December 2014 after suffering with cancer for two years. (Wikipedia)