George Perry

I am an Edinburgh-based self-taught potter, influenced by Leach Pottery and other British studio pottery. I produce work incorporating wild, waste and self-collected materials where possible, including clay, rock and wood ash.

Q&A

Artist Statement

My work strips back the layers of industrialisation and commodification. The materials available now to ceramicists and potters are heavily altered and santitised. I seek a return to the roots of ceramics, sourcing clay, rocks and ash myself. Creating pieces using materials sourced from the land and processed by myself, leads to work that connects directly to place and landscape.I seek to make vessels using only materials I’ve processed. However, sourcing and processing materials is laborious and I make use of commercial materials also.

What craft do you work with?

I produce pots on the potter’s wheel. I started in 2017 and have been practising more since 2020. I was attracted to the craft after coming to appreciate the everyday beauty of pots. I particularly enjoy working with collected material, wild clay, rocks and wood ash.

What inspires you to work with this craft?

Pots are used every day and are generally not appreciated. By making quality pieces we can bring people’s attention to the value of every day objects.

How do you start your creative process?

The materials I collect shape the work I produce. Each rock or combination of rocks create particular glaze effects. I seek to create pieces that show off the quality of the glazes.

How would you best describe your workspace and what tools could you not do without?

I am part of a pottery collective in Edinburgh. 16 people share the same studio, organising the space and yearly exhibitions. The space is well equipped with secondhand equipment, everything a potter could need. The secondhand ball mill and gas kiln were a great surprise when I joined and have been crucial to the development of my work.