Spotlight on… John McKeag

His studio practice combines the making of one-off pots alongside a small range of tableware – the new gallery arrivals are sure to impress visitors with their bright colours and unique textures.

A potter based in the Mourne mountains, John McKeag originally trained in Fine Art at Manchester Polytechnic where he went on to develop an interest in ceramics through a love of simple, unadorned, functional pottery. He specialises in the technique of soda-glazing, producing wheel thrown tableware and exhibition pieces for the modern interior. Primarily concerned with simplicity of form, he views each piece as an individual work of functional art. Making and firing in small batches allows him to devote time to create intriguing surface textures and colours. The nature of the firing process ensures that each piece is truly unique.

‘With his one-off vessels he explores form, surface, colour and the space a pot occupies and contains. Working intuitively with these formal elements he aims to produce work that connects with him, feels complete and has a sculptural simplicity and presence. Specialising in making double walled pots that are wheel thrown and altered, he hones his pots through lengthy and controlled processes to produce simple, defined forms. The pots are glazed using a combination of slips, engobes and glazes and can be fired multiple times – each piece is a one-off.”

The tableware range is made with no less attention given to design and quality of finish. All pots are thrown on the pottery wheel using a stoneware clay that is high fired to ensure durability for everyday use. These are not ‘showy’ pots – they are aesthetically minimal and made to be used and enjoyed, to sit quietly in the hand and home.

He has exhibited widely with works held in many private collections and the collections of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Crafts Council of Ireland.