John Pollex vase
Earthenware vessel decorated in coloured slips.
Height 178mm
John Pollex's highly distinctive brightly coloured ceramics have won him a legion of fans and collectors throughout the UK and internationally. He studied pottery at Sir John Cass's School of Art and then served as a technician on the influential Harrow Ceramics Course before working with Bryan Newman and Colin Pearson.
Since 1971 he has lived and worked in Plymouth, his early work at this time was the development of traditional English slipware methods, mostly slip trailing and Sgraffito but in the mid 1980s he changed creative direction. During a trip to London in 1985 he saw an exhibition of Sir Howard Hodgkin's paintings and was immediately struck by his use of colour and mark making. On his return to Plymouth Pollex explored the work of other painters whose work was predominately about the use of colour, such as Robert Natkin, Hans Hofmann, and David Hockney and out of this developed a range of coloured slips and started to play.
His work became more painterly and abstract, pots now becoming blank canvases; his interest in Zen calligraphy and the use of the Zen brush directed him to his present spontaneous way of working, painting a pot rather than decorating one. In early 2020, Pollex embarked on another change: brushing the glaze mostly off the outside of pots leaving the occasional splash of glaze here and there. The unglazed colours and brushstrokes are now are far more subtle and defined than under a glaze covering.
Postage & Packing & Ways to Pay
How long until my items arrive?
Items from the Byre usually ship within 4 working/business days of the order being placed. If an item is made to order, that will be noted on the item’s description and you will be informed of the timescale via email.
Packing & Postage?
Our P&P costs reflect the delicate nature of many of the pieces available in the store. Great care is taken in packing so that your new precious piece will arrive safely with you.
All smaller items are posted via either First Class Royal Mail or Royal Mail Special Delivery depending on the item. For larger pieces and paintings, we use carefully selected courier companies or a specialist art courier, please do contact us to discuss if you have any concerns.
International: We happily ship work internationally, please do get in touch via email or phone to discuss an international shipping quotation.
I have seen something in the Byre Gallery or on Instagram/Facebook that isn’t in the Online Store! Can I buy it?
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