Richard Godfrey (potter)

Richard Godfrey (1949 – 13 December 2014) was an English studio potter working in Battisborough Cross, Devon England.[1]

Early life and education

Godfrey graduated from Bristol School of Art in 1972 having been taught by Gillian Lowndes.[2]

Career

From 1973 to 1981 he was Head of Art and Deputy Headmaster at Battisborough International School, Devon[3] which was founded by Kurt Hahn. Having set up his first workshop, he made production thrown ware for Cranks restaurant.[4] Godfrey was a fellow of the Craft Potters Association and known primarily for his brightly coloured earthenware pottery which used composite underglaze patterns.[5]

Godfrey won the Bronze award at the European Ceramics Competition in Athens 2004[6] 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.[7] He lectured, demonstrated and exhibited widely and was the subject of two television documentaries.[3]

Godfrey's work combined thrown and hand built forms made with white earthenware clay, inspired by observing his surroundings and found objects.[8] His teapots were often made using non traditional press moulding techniques, utilising cut cardboard boxes.[9] Potter Hannah McAndrew described his work as "bright beasts, immaculately made, vibrant and smiling".[10] Godfrey died on 13 December 2014[11] after suffering with cancer for two years.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "City artists head east for new gallery | Plymouth Herald". plymouthherald.co.uk. 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015. after suffering from cancer for two years
  2. ^ "About Richard". richardgodfreyceramics.co.uk. 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Artist's Profile:Richard Godfrey (1949-2014)". studiopottery.co.uk. 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2015. Battisborough International School, Devon
  4. ^ "Kent Potters Association - Richard Godfrey Master Day by Jackie Richardson". kentpotters.co.uk. 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  5. ^ Hamer Frank (2003). The Potter's Dictionary of Materials and Techniques. A & C Black Publishers Ltd. p. 355.
  6. ^ "Artist's Profile:Richard Godfrey". studiopottery.co.uk. 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Interview with Peers Award winner Richard Godfrey | Valentine Clays". valentineclays.co.uk. 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015. Award for best contribution to the festival by fellow exhibitors.
  8. ^ "Richard Godfrey, Marine House - Marine House at Beer | Steam Gallery". marinehouseatbeer.co.uk. 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  9. ^ Saunders, Colin (2014). "MNS Newsletter 19 Spring 2006 - 2011SummerWeb.pdf" (PDF). pdf.js. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  10. ^ McAndrew, Hannah (2015). "Richard Godfrey | Hannah McAndrew". hannahmcandrew.co.uk. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  11. ^ "Richard Godfrey – potter | Online Ceramics". onlineceramics.com. 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.