What better way to wind down during the back end of a long week than with a studio pottery video? Potters like UK-based Svend Bayer have a knack for finding the most warmly bucolic studios we’ve ever seen. The video begins with the rain pattering against a glass windowpane and Bayer’s gentle voice begins, “A good pot has to reveal something about the maker.” From there he goes into his practice, his mentor Michael Cardew, and a contrast of western clay sensibilities versus the east. He takes us into his Anagama kiln. Close by is a pile of broken ceramics, casualties of firings that went wrong. It’s a good shot, a reminder that even expert craftsmen like Bayer have off days.
Born in Uganda in 1946 to Danish parents, Svend Bayer spent his childhood in Tanganyika, according to his biography from Goldmark. It was during his time at university that Bayer discovered pottery, and a gift from his girlfriend of Bernard Leach’s “A Potter’s Book” introduced him to the pots of Michael Cardew. On leaving university Bayer wrote to Cardew, and after being invited for an interview, was taken on.
Bayer took inspiration from the village potteries in Southeast Asia, streamlining their practices and using his focus and determination to produce pots at high speed to fill his huge kiln. His work is held in major collections worldwide. He has received the John Ruskin award, held workshops all over the world and had residencies in America & Australia.
Do you love or loathe this video about contemporary ceramic art? Let us know in the comments.
I loved the video and the sincerity and passion that Svend imbues in his work with these individual creations that are wonderful. They communicate to the observer a miriad different emotions and live in their own right. I see what he meant that they have the essence of the creator in each and every creation.
Some of the realest and nicest people I have know where “Studio Potters”. I was at Art School in Yorkshire, England and the man that taught the young art students was a local potter “Ted Underhill” he was a good teacher and my friend. Super Work!!!!
lovely
Just lost a wonderful wood fire potter in Africa, Anton v d Merwe, he would have enjoyed this video
always love listening to an artist share his/her passion. Sven speaks to the heart in this wonderful video. Please keep them coming …so i know i am not alone. Love wood fire especially. thank you.
I’m so thankful to Goldmark and also Pucker Gallery who produce these type of high quality videos which give insight into the potter’s work and life. However, with the tranquil music which often accompanies them, the viewer is filled with all kinds of “romanticism” which lulls us into thinking that this is not in fact an “industrious” life. It’s dam hard work to run a wood-fire kiln. However, as Svend so aptly illustrates, it’s the totality of the endeavor which brings meaning and contentment (significance) to one’s life.
Years ago, when I was more purposefully exploring, I visited many of the best potters in Devon and the south west UK and was immediately struck by the beauty of the landscape and the environments they had created. Invariably, many were situated in old farms or industrial buildings which in themselves held many friendly ghosts of bygone eras. It was impossible not to be filled with the deep resonance and spirit of the place and the people toiling away at their “art” that in many instances involuntarily brought me to tears. If an endeavor can do that, then the “maker” has truly created something worthy of his activity. But, as so often been said, “It takes two to tango”, just like falling in love. We have to be open to joining the other as they have to be open and willing to join with us.
I have a deep love and appreciation for what these people do. While other art forms may engage us and strike a different cord, clay and these ancient natural elements touch us (some of us) so deeply it warms our “souls” and even if just more a moment, we become part of the continuum.
Just the opposite of “ditto”! One of a kind! Wish I could have seen his recent show at Greenwich House in New York!
wonderful, thank you!
Svend Bayer reminds us of the importance of the human touch in pottery and not every potter can inject life into his or her work. As every potter knows, it takes years to accomplish that, if ever. He is part of a continuing generation of folk potters who makes pots for the sheer love of it. If the recent NCECA conference in Kansas City is any indication, where pre-programmed pots and 3-D printing are the rage, potters of Svend’s calibre are few and far between. Thank you, Svend, and thank you for this video.
Well said. I can only say, “ditto” which will there again date me as no one knows what that is anymore. The new 3-D printing evolution speaks to my mind and I try to fathom how clay can be used in this way. After the awe fades however, it is somewhat empty. This video speaks to my senses and my heart. Brings forth smells from wood firing in my childhood. I want to hold on to those pots and build a relationship with them.
My heroes that also started me on my clay-way thank you for this reminder