Potfest comes to Shropshire

Shropshire born potter, Ralph Jandrell will be joining over 70 potters and ceramicists from the UK and abroad for the aptly named ‘Potfest’ this September at the Shrewsbury Agricultural Market. Ralph, who works from his workshop at the Coalport China Museum has exhibited his ceramic pieces at other Potfests that have been held in the UK, as far afield as Perth in Scotland.

Based in the picturesque Ironbridge Gorge, Ralph makes a unique range of quality handmade ceramics in his workshop.

Ralph’s inspiration comes mainly from what he sees around him, as he lives and works in the Ironbridge Gorge. Ralph said “there are trees everywhere - stacked up the sides of the gorge and along it as far as you can see.” He continued “I like to think of my work as in a certain English tradition - echoes of English landscape painting whilst trying to create a contemporary, relevant, desirable product for today”.

The selling exhibition is quite unique, as Ralph explained “The venue is a cattle market (of course washed for the purpose!). Each potter has his own pen to display his work.

“The contrast between the utilitarian and regimented venue and the beauty and variety of the work on display is quite striking.”

The Shropshire Potfest, at the Agricultural Market, Battlefield will include over 70 exhibitors from the UK and abroad.

Matthew Cox, organiser of the Shropshire event told us “The diversity of work on display is immense. We have potters and ceramicists displaying such items as domestic ware, one-off sculptures for the home and garden, lanterns, lamps and teapots.”

Matthew continued “Potfest started about 14 years ago, when my parents, who are both potters, realised that there wasn’t a ‘level playing field’ where potters and ceramicists of all ability could display and sell their work to the public”. There are 4 Potfests during the year, with the last one being held at Frome in Somerset.