This remarkable collection of ceramics by Bradford born Tony Sugden is being showcased here to celebrate the distinctive style of this highly talented and unique maker.  His collection is exceptionally impressive as bold patterns and mark-making combine to captivate the viewer.

Tony studied art at Harrow Art School, where he obtained the Ministry of Education’s National Diploma in Design and went on to obtain an Art Teacher’s Certificate at Hornsey Art School.  Whilst teaching he attended night classes in pottery at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in Holborn under the tutorship of Margaret Duckworth, William Newland and Nicholas Vergette.  Tony lived in Africa for twenty-five years, until his retirement, establishing an important collection of tribal art.  On return to the country he joined Harrogate College in their Ceramic Department, which remains his base.

Tony’s current series of flattened vessels are technically very simple.  The body clay is Earthstone 20, a high temperature white clay, grogged with twenty percent Molochite (porcelain, fired and crushed to a fine powder).  Sheets of this clay are press-moulded in plaster moulds, allowed to stiffen and joined to make the body of the pot.  This is fettled when bone dry and then coated with several thin layers of blackish slip.  This is composed of red earthenware clay, manganese dioxide and cobalt carbonate.  The design is scratched through the dark layer to show the white body underneath.  The finished pots are biscuit fired to 1000o Celsius, very thinly glazed with a dry clay matt glaze and fired to 1280o Celsius in an oxidising atmosphere.

A wonderful must see exhibition to awaken the senses.

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