JOHN JELFS

John was born in Devon, and studied ceramics at Gloucestershire College of Art in Cheltenham.
 

His pots are all hand-thrown, and his focus has always been on pure form. 

He uses a range of subtle stoneware glazes which he makes himself using locally sourced ingredients – woodash, limestone, clays – wherever possible.

Decoration is kept to a minimum. He also soda-fires in a gas kiln.

 

"I am excited most by the work of Bernard Leach, Hamada Shoji and the Eastern School of pottery. The strength of their pots lies, I feel, in their quietness."

 

John's work has been widely exhibited in leading galleries including Galerie Besson and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

It is included in many collections at home and abroad including the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, and the Fitzwilliam, Cambridge. 

 

Stockists include David Mellor in London and Hathersage, Derbyshire, the Contemporary Ceramics Centre, London, St Ives Ceramics and the Leach Pottery, Cornwall.

 

John is a Fellow of the Craft Potters' Association (CPA).