Profile
Ben Barker has been a studio potter, sculptor and teacher for over 30 years, having graduated with an Honours degree in ceramics and sculpture at the Froebel Institute in London. Initially he taught art in a secondary school and later became self-employed as a studio potter in East Anglia. For ten years he made a wide range of reduction fired domestic stoneware fired in a 60 cubic foot catenary arch gas kiln which he built to facilitate a large production of chun, celadon and tenmoku ceramics. He then returned to teaching as Head of Department in the independent sector where he taught ceramics and sculpture and designed sets for the theatre. Ben now works from his studio in West Sussex producing ceramics and sculpture which have been exhibited throughout the UK and in Europe. Work is mainly sold through auction, exhibitions and selected galleries.
In addition to private commissions, work is also represented in permanent collections and journals. Ceramic murals, sculpture and plaques have been undertaken for several County councils, corporations, clubs and societies.
As a sculptor, he has produced both environmental and domestic work carved in wood and stone or cast in metal. Ben has a small foundry and mainly creates small scale pieces cast in aluminium and bronze. Themes include the natural world, the human form and abstract concepts. Awards for presentation are designed and made to commission.
He teaches pottery to adults in a local college and runs frequent ceramic courses from his studio which cover general pottery and Raku. In schools Ben organises INSET training for staff and as artist in residence works with pupils on individual and group projects creating sculpture and ceramic murals.
Demonstrations and workshops are undertaken for pottery groups, art clubs and societies and occasionally he organises pottery birthday parties for children. He regularly participates in festivals and local Artists’ Open Houses.
Ben is a member of the Craft Potters' Association of Great Britain, the Association of Sussex Artists, Worthing Arts Council, the Southern Ceramic Group, the Surrey Sculpture Society and a founder of a new venture for local artists - Steyning Arts – www.steyningarts.co.uk.