Richard St John Heeley

Richard grew up in Stoke-on-Trent, surrounded by pottery and from a very early age he knew ceramics was always going to be an important part of his life. Graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1996, achieving a BA Hons in Ceramics and Design, he focussed on reduction firing and oriental ceramics. He set up his first pottery in south London, specializing in blue and white porcelain.

He is known for making one-off drinking vessels decorated with fluid brushwork. Thrown on a momentum wheel, his work is influenced by a deep appreciation of Korean 16th century ware from the Chosôn dynasty. His recent work is wood fired shino glazed porcelain & stoneware, designed to be complementary to the blue and white work.

He strives for a holistic approach to working and living, and together with his wife Lucy owns and manages Hempmill Pottery & Cookery School on the border between Shropshire and Staffordshire. He grows and uses his own wood to fire and sources local clay and materials from the Hempmill wetlands for his work.