About | anceramics

Alasdair Nelson is a ceramic artist who began his career studying Ceramic Design at Central Saint Martins. His work revolves around his interest in glaze and how it transforms in the kiln, using this to produce sculptural works.

His current work is inspired by geological formations, particularly the Geode. He produces organic forms, which he shapes by hand forming a shell, which texture is then hand carved into. He combines different natural coloured clays with vibrant, bold glazes to create the aesthetic of hidden worlds within his sculpture. Different landscapes form: Mediterranean seas; volcanic lakes; its different for every viewer as they see something from their own lives that the pieces remind them of. Metallic and crystalline finishes reflect the light and make the pieces come alive.

During his time at Central he was linked with the Clayground Collective and so got involved in the Earth Exchange Project working with young people from a variety of countries, teaching, inspiring and being inspired through the medium of clay. Since then running workshops and passing on his passion for ceramics has been a great part of his practice.

Curriculum Vitae

Exhibitions

2017

Mar 4th - Apr 23rd Northern Potters Association @ Middleport Pottery - 40th Birthday

Sep The Earth's Layers, The Witham, Barnard Castle

Sep Alsager Ceramic Festival, Two Door Studio

Nov LUSTRE Art Fair, Nottingham

2016

Jul Sale Arts Trail, Selection of Venues.

Nov LUSTRE Art Fair, Nottingham

Nov Sale Arts Christmas Bazaar, Claremont Centre, Sale

2015

May Art in the Park, Leek, Staffordshire

May-Sep Nautical Exhibition, Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, Birmingham

Jul Sale Arts Trail, Selection of Venues.

Nov LUSTRE Art Fair, Nottingham

2014

Jan Shop Within the Show, Designer Crafts 2014, Mall Galleries, London

Mar Glass, Ceramics and Furniture, Candid Arts Trust, London

May Biddulph Artisan Market, Biddulph, Staffordshire

Feb-May Art of Interiors - Gallery 22, Hale, Greater Manchester

May Art in the Park, Leek, Staffordshire

May Lichfield Guildhall Fair, Lichfield, Staffordshire

May Ford Green Hall Museum Fair, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Jun West Dean Design and Craft Fair, Clay in Motion Stand, West Dean College, Near Chichester

Jun Joe Cornish Gallery, Exhibition with Northern Potters Association, Northallerton

Jul Sale Arts Trail, Selection of Venues

Jul Summer Fair at Emma Bridgewater, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

Oct Cheadle Makers Market, Cheadle, Cheshire

Nov LUSTRE Art Fair, Nottingham

Nov Sale Arts Trail Christmas Bazaar, Sale, Manchester. More details coming soon!

Nov-Jan Staircase House: Designer Maker Craft Show, Stockport, Manchester

Dec Off The High Street Christmas Market, Castlefield Market, Central Manchester

2013

Jun Central Saint Martins: Degree Show, King's Cross, London

Jun New Designers, Angel, Islington

Jul Munchies Market, Hornchurch: individual producers, craft and streetfood event

Sep TENT London, Part of London Design Festival: Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane

Nov May Wild Ceramics Gallery, Chorlton, Manchester

Dec Exhibition with Local Creations, Altrincham Forward, Altrincham, Manchester

2010

Jun Foundation in Art and Design Show, Central Saint Martins, Back Hill Compus, EC1R 5EN

2008

Lime (charity) and Sale Grammar School Partnership, work displayed in The Nightingale Centre and Genesis Prevention Centre, part of Wythenshawe Hospital.

Membership

Northern Potters Association

Voluntary Work

Summer 2007 World Challenge Expedition to Brazil

A five week expedition around Brazil, involving activities testing leadership and teamwork, including working with Juliano F Varela, a specialist school for children with Downs Syndrome. We painted a mural for their entrance way and took part in some of their classes.

Workshops

23-29 June 2012 The Earth Exchange Project

Working with the Clayground Collective and Phakama on the Earth Exchange Project. A project engaging young people from several different countries, incl. Turkey, Portugal and Poland with clay. (See The Earth Exchange ProjectPage for more details)

2014-15 Various work with Primary Schools, running workshops enaging pupils with clay; designing projects to fit with their studies.