Adrian Guest

Each sculpture starts from a number of thrown pots made on the potter’s wheel which are left to go leather hard or are started as slab built forms. They are then cut and assembled to get the basic shape, this give a firm hollow body which is an ideal base to start. Clay is then added or removed, shaped and carved until it has come to life. They are then finished with oxides, raw materials, clay slips and my own glazes.
I try to capture the essence of the animal spending a long time observing Photographing and sketching the animal before I start to sculpt it. I am a regular at my local safari park (west Midland Safari Park) were I take hundreds of photographs of each animal I intend to sculpt. I am fascinated by muscle structure and how the skin folds with movement which I try to capture in my work.
I left school with O levels in ceramics and art in 1981, I then secured an apprenticeship in Topaz Ceramics Stoke on Trent. My primary role was throwing pots but I was also trained in all other aspects of ceramic production. After 4 years I set up on my own at Cotwall End Craft Centre where I worked for many years producing hand thrown ceramics. Eventually I started to make rudimentary sculpture by assembling thrown pots; this led to my passion for sculpture. I have sold my sculpture in exhibitions throughout the country. I now work from a studio at my home in Dudley in the Black Country selling my work through Galleries.

08/07/2024