John Higgins

Ceramics, in all its guises, continues to be a passion sustained throughout his working life. The work has always been made in series with a common theme and surface imagery. Though the forms may change the surface qualities almost always refer to the same vocabulary and palette achieved throughout his career.

The work, refers most often to architecture, painting, archaeology and everyday objects. A format is decided, but room is always allowed for spontaneous and expressive handling of the medium through thrown and slab formed elements.

The clay is heavily grogged and the surfaces are treated with slips, oxides and underglaze colours, sometimes glazed, and fired to 1140°C

1947	Born in Newcastle Under - Lyme
1962-66	School of Art Newcastle Under - Lyme
1966-69	3D Design Ceramics Wolverhampton College of Art
1970-71	Teaching Certificate in General Art and Design, Sussex University

Exhibitions (selection)

Hatfield Art in Clay. Insitu a travelling exhibition. Oldenburg International ceramics Market Germany

2001	2001 Carlin gallery Paris
2002	2002 Wessex fine art and ceramics
2003	Altech ceramics criennale, Cape Town, Südafrika, Award winner Fovea gallery Harrow London
2004	Contemporary ceramics London, showcase Chelsea crafts fair, London Urban interiors, Business design centre, Islington, London
2005	Galerie Rosenhauer, Göttingen, Germany Ceramic art London, Royal College of Art New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham
2006	Open Eye Gallery Edinburgh Ceramic Art, London 2006 Campden Gallery, Glos. Contemporary Ceramics, London Hatfield Art in Clay Oxford Ceramics Fair Fovea Gallery Harrow
2008	Ceramic art London, Roger Billcliffe Gallery Glasgow, Art in clay Frames gallery Perth, Scotland, cpa Oxford
2009	Gallery top. Ceramic art London, open eye Edinburgh, Ceramics in the city, Art in clay, cpa Oxford
2010	Contemporary ceramics summerset house, Ceramic art London, Open eye gallery Edinburgh, Art in clay, Gallery Bevere, Piero Passet gallery.
2011	Gallery Oldham 'urban traces', Art in Clay Hatfield
2012	Ceramic Art London. Art in clay Hatfield House. In situ, Barnsley Civic

Prizes and Awards

1990	Contemporary Ceramics London, award fort he best piece in the show
1991	Contemporary Ceramics London, award fort he best piece in the show
1994	Whitbread Prizewinner, Milton Keynes
1996	Joint Winner of the Belgian Ceramics Biennale Competition
1998	Honourable Mention, 5th International Ceramics Competition '98 Mino, Japan
1998	Award Ceramics Biennale, Association of Potters of Southern Africa, Johannesburg.
2003	Award Winner, Altech Ceramics Triennale, Cape Toown, S.A.
2004	Contemporary ceramics showcase

Qualifications

BA 2/1 3D design ceramics Wolverhampton College of Art 1966-69
PGCE General art and design Sussex University 1970-71

Teaching experience

1971-73	Secondary education
1973	Adult education
1987	HMP Prison Leyhill
1988-2004	Further education VIth form
2008-2012	Adult education, Camden London Demonstration workshops on going