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WORDS: AMANDER MEADE
ICHARD Clarke is a born-and-bred Rutlander and has been making pots there for over 35 years. He credits a talented pottery teacher at his former school, the Vale of Catmose College (now Catmose College), for inspiring his lifelong passion for ceramics. “I just loved making pots from the very first lesson I had and later became determined to try and make a career using my skill with clay,” he remembers. Fast forward to teacher-training college, after which Richard found himself teaching ceramics in a secondary school in Uttoxeter and hoping to inspire other youngsters like himself. A visit home during one Christmas holiday reignited a relationship with Anna, a young teacher working in Suffolk and whom Richard had known briefly during their teenage years in Rutland. The couple embraced the 1970s wanderlust, bought themselves a camper van and toured North Africa – visiting potteries en route, of course. “I remember free camping with a group of other travellers in Tunisia and creating a makeshift kiln with some local potters who thought I was mad,” he laughs. Richard and Anna returned home to settle in Rutland and start their family. Anna had a successful career in teaching and learning support, and Richard started his first pottery at Barnsdale Hall – long before it became a hotel. Alongside his ongoing ceramic work, Richard was invited by his father to join the family business – the Old House Gallery in Oakham’s Market Place. When Mr Clarke senior sadly died aged only 58, Richard took over and began to move the gallery into a more contemporary direction. Today he represents an eclectic group of artists from painters and wood turners to jewellers and weavers, which makes for a rich collection that is a joy to browse. Richard embraces traditional artisan values, and it’s
PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN
clear from spending time chatting to him that the artists whose work fills his gallery are the most important thing to him. “I have relationships with my fellow artists built up over many years; I support them, and they are very loyal to me in turn. Loyalty and integrity is at the heart of everything we do.” The gallery is very much a family concern – Richard’s mum Bette works there for two days per week, as does his sister. Artists showing at the gallery include: Alan Oliver, Steve Handley, Barbara Rae Norridge, Paul Proctor, Jan Burridge, Des Murrie, Sue Gunn, Terry Austin, Julie Wilson, Michael Gibbison and Jennie McCall. Stock changes all the time, and the team encourages browsers to pop in and see what’s new. Richard’s own work is available, of course, although the making is done in his workshop at home in Barrowden. Despite almost four decades of making, his enthusiasm is as great as ever. “Pots can give so much; they can enhance a meal, make a bowl of soup or salad look really special and make a cup of coffee taste even better.” Richard’s work is as beautiful as it is functional, and it is dishwasher and microwave safe too. “My work is reductionfired stoneware. I mix my own clay and make glazes from wood ash, dolomite and other raw materials. The pots are then fired for 17 hours to 1,290ºC in a down-draught, propane-fired kiln.” The results are highly collectable pieces of tableware, jugs, bowls and cups that are beautifully hued in natural shades of greens, browns, grey and blue. “Pots are an essential part of my life and to be able to produce work that others can enjoy gives me great pleasure.” You can see Richard’s work at the Old House Gallery, 13 Market Place, Oakham LE15 6DT and find out more on 01572 755538 or at rutlandgallery.com or oldhousegalleryrutland.co.uk.
NENE LIVING APRIL 2018
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