Peter Wills

“Inspiration for me comes from simple things; pots from ancient China to modern Europe; the looseness, freedom and life of Bizen wares, the wonderful colours, textures and forms of Lucie Rie’s work, the inverted profile of a hat, a Blackbird singing outside my bedroom window. I work in a small studio using English Porcelain blend from Valentine Clays. All pots are thrown on a home built kick/electric wheel then raw glazed and fired once to Orton cone 9 (1280°C). I aim for balanced form, attention to detail and life. I would love the ability to produce pots of a calibre that would make people catch their breath; but for now, if I can occasionally stir the heart I'll be content.”

The work of Peter Wills, a professional potter since 1989, has been evolving over the years within the context of attention to detail, balanced form/decoration and passion; all of which he believes are crucial in the making of good pots.
Bernard Leach's "A Potters Book" and the whole ethos behind that work was one of the first and strongest of his numerous influences. Sung, Tang Dynasty and later Chinese pots have also been a great inspiration along with Japanese Bizen wares and major C20 European potters such as Lucie Rie, Hans Coper and Michael Cardew. At the start of his career in ceramics and subsequently Peter had personal contact on many occasions with the early CPA member and hugely underappreciated potter Derek Davis; Derek left a very positive and lasting impression on Peter and his work
Widely exhibited in Britain, his work has also been shown in the Denmark, U.S.A. (New York/ San Francisco) Dubai, Italy, Brussels, Spain, The Netherlands, Germany and Japan. In the spring of 1998 he was highly honoured when The British Government gave gifts of his work to all 19 European Heads of State attending a summit in Britain.
Featured in many national publications his work has also been seen on BBC and commercial TV.