- Colin Anderson, aged 90, is exhibiting his hand-thrown pottery for the first time at The Artisans’ Bazaar at Sculpture by the Lakes – an online Christmas exhibition featuring more than 80 artists and makers.
The nonagenarian only took up making pottery at the beginning of this year, having gifted himself a potter’s wheel and kiln on his 90th birthday in January. With much of 2020 spent at home, he has found plenty of time to practice.
He said:
“There are few things more absorbing than creating something with your own two hands and it has been a joy to have spent much of this turbulent year working away at the potter’s wheel.
“With clay, you start with a cold lump of damp earth, feel it become alive under your hand, coax it into a shape, and if you are really lucky you may end up with a thing of joy and beauty that will last longer than you do. It’s all about luck, and I’m by far the luckiest man I know.”
Some of his skilful creations are now being exhibited under the name ‘The Poundbury Potter’ at a major local arts event, The Artisans’ Bazaar, at Sculpture by the Lakes near Dorchester.
Every piece is hand thrown, fired, and glazed in Colin’s studio in a converted garage at his Poundbury home. Visitors to Artisans’ Bazaar, which has gone virtual during the lockdown, can snap up items such as ‘The Three Bears’ which is a set of variously sized cups in white and blue, and his tiny posy vases, with prices starting at £6.50.
He adds:
“I’m not very much interested in abstract or contemporary pottery – I like to create things which are beautiful and practical; kitchenware like mugs, jugs, vases – things that people can make use of.
‘I only started selling pieces after we ran out of room to store them; my first customers back in June were a friend and her daughter, who are both interior designers.
‘It was one of my customers, who happened to be helping organise The Artisans’ Bazaar event, who invited me to exhibit. It is tremendous to be there and to be able to share my pieces. I have had a great deal of help from the team, and lots of useful tips around how to price up items for sale.’
While only lately discovering his talent for pottery, Colin has painted and sketched throughout his life, often chronicling his journeys around the globe in a travel sketchbook.
His career in the wine trade, as a buying director for a large merchant and then a wine consultant for British Airways, saw him travel widely, visiting countries including India, South Africa and New Zealand – where his wife Penny is originally from.
Having already ‘retired’ twice before, Colin is not one to sit back and relax. It was taking part in pottery courses at The Dorset Centre for Creative Arts back in September last year which inspired him to embark on this new adventure as he entered his ninth decade.
Adds Colin:
‘I think I have finally found the perfect job – and I will never want to retire again!”
Find The Poundbury Potter’s pieces among the creations of more than 80 artists and makers currently being exhibited at The Artisans’ Bazaar at Sculpture by the Lakes, a sculpture park near Dorchester, Dorset.
This free event continues until December 23. It has gone online for the lockdown period. Shoppers can visit the online shop or sign up for personalised live virtual tours which allow them to view the event and select the items they wish to purchase. Local delivery or a Click and Collect service is available.
Simon Gudgeon, the internationally renowned sculptor and owner of Sculpture by the Lakes, said:
“Having discovered my talent for sculpting at the age of 40, I know how it feels to discover your passion later in life; Colin is something of a kindred spirit in that regard.
‘He is an inspirational chap, and his pieces are truly beautiful. I am delighted to be able to support him and help share his talent with the wider audience it deserves.”
When lockdown restrictions are lifted in December, visitors will once again be able to explore in person hundreds of unique and beautiful creations across a range of artistic mediums and techniques, from glasswork to pottery, painting to textiles, wood carving to weaving, leatherwork to jewellery making.
In the meantime, book a virtual tour of the Artisans’ Bazaar contact [email protected] with a suggested time and date or explore online at https://www.sculpturebythelakes.co.uk/shop/
The sculpture park is staying open as per the lockdown regulations. Visitor numbers have been further reduced for the lockdown period. The Café by the Lakes is open for takeaways only.
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