Tim Andrews

Tim works from his studio/gallery and garden in an East Devon village, making and curating exhibitions and occasionally writing. It’s a combination of the immersion in his local environment with the many invitations to exhibit/lecture around the world that has influenced his work for well over forty years. Some of Tim’s favourite adventures have been in China, India, Australia – and many times in Japan, which has reconnected him with his family history in that country, which stretches back almost 150 years.

As a young man, a visit to Bernard Leach’s 90th birthday retrospective exhibition at the V&A in London triggered a realisation for Tim that this muddy material could be transformed into wonderful objects that somehow touch the soul. An apprenticeship with Bernard’s son David Leach followed – and then a further two years at the Dartington Pottery before setting up on his own.

Tim’s work is labour-intensive. Pieces are thrown or hand-built or often a mixture of both.  Many are burnished and individually raku-fired. Playing with smoke and fire is still central, black/white with linear decoration – or splashes of colour. Tim loves exploring the interaction between controlled technique and expressive release – the exciting place of tension between the cautious and the cavalier that he calls ‘seat of the pants’ ceramics.

Tim’s work has been acquired for public and private collections around the world. He is a Fellow of the Craft Potters Association, Honorary President of the Westcountry Potters, and the author of two books on Raku.

Profile photo by Ben Boswell