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| Alan Foxley | |||
| Contact Details | |||
| Address: 26 Shepherds
Way, Saffron Walden, Essex. CB10 2AH. Tel: 01799 522631 Email: foxleyalan1@waitrose.com Directions: Click opposite for detailed map and images of recent work. Availability: Must telephone first to make an appointment. |
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 Alan at work in the studio. | |||
| Artists Statement | |||
| My interest in Ceramics
began when I was introduced to clay as an art student. Although I
trained as a potter/painter and teacher, the urge to continue
working with this fascinating and very versatile material has
remained with me. Over the years I have worked in a variety of ways
with various clays and have recently returned to hand-building, with
the emphasis on a sculptural rather than utilitarian way of working.
Ideas are developed from both natural and man-made forms.textures.
and the way in which the elements and time have upon them. These
play a very important role in my work. The scale varies, but most of it is fairly large and is principally suited to out-door display relating very much to the space around it, whilst the smaller more intimate pieces need to held in the hand where subtle variations in the surface are read mainly by touch rather than by sight. After firing much of the work is rubbed down with abrasives to create smooth and polished surfaces which contrast with rough textures already created within the piece. In many instances much of it is reworked with oxides and glazes and if necessary retired numerous times until I am satisfied with the result. | |||
| Current Work | |||
| Current work is
principally hand-built one-off pieces. Coiling, slabbing and
pinching both large and small scale mainly using Crank clay with the
addition of porcelain, slips, oxides and dry and semi-matt glazes.
Current work available at: Lee Chapman Gallery, Keswick, New Studio, Olney, C21 Norfolk. Exhibitions: Burton Art Gallery, Devon. Bow House Gallery, Barnet. C21 Norfolk Dallas Workshops DFN New York Guildenburgh Gallery, Peterborough Gallery Upstairs, Warwickshire Perse School, Cambridge Soc. Des. Crafts, Mall Gallery, London Direct Sales Potfest in the Park, Penrith. Art in Clay, Hatfield. Clay Art, North Wales. Cambridge Open Studios. Click for a Selection of Images | |||
| Technical Information | |||
| Gas fired top loader
kiln LPG. Mainly reduction fired 1280 C Much of the work is
unglazed, relying very much on the textural quality of the clay,
slips, oxides and the use of post-firing polishing with abrasives.
Some use is made of matt and semi-matt glazes but this is mainly
used on the smaller pieces of work. | |||
| Career Background | |||
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Trained at Bath Academy of Art Corsham 1953-56.Taught Art in schools 1957-74. Lecturer in Ceramics Saffron Walden College of Education until closure 1977. Set up own workshop initially wholesaling work but eventually moved into direct retailing with hand-built and thrown ware. During the early eighties also taught 3D design to Foundation students at St.Albans College of Art. Since 1998 have concentrated on individual sculptural work. | |||
| Membership | |||
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Fellow Society of Designer Craftsmen, Professional member Craft Potters Association, Selected member East Anglian Potters Association, Member Essex Craft Society, Norfolk Contemporary Craft Soc. | |||