Documentary | Akiko Hirai | Mark of the Pot

akiko hirai wlc slate jpg webp Documentary | Akiko Hirai | Mark of the Pot documentary

Two years in the making, this latest Goldmark documentary film finds Japanese born potter Akiko Hirai at work in her London studio. The rise in popularity of Hirai’s work has been meteoric and she has now has sell-out exhibitions all over the world. Hirai is renowned for creating Moon Jars – a traditional Korean vessel … Read more

Documentary | Anne Mette Hjortshøj | Paying Honest Attention

Anne Mette Hjortshoj

Anne Mette Hjortshøj lives and works on the small Danish island of Bornholm situated in the Baltic Sea.

Our documentary gives a gentle and revealing insight into one of Denmark’s leading potters. It follows Hjortshøj’s daily life; collecting clay from the local beach for her glazes, throwing and making pots in her studio, and talking about the firing of her two chamber wood-fired salt kiln and its role in producing the decorative aspects of her work. We learn of her influences both within and outside of the Danish potting tradition and the inspiration she takes from the nature of the island.

Her pots are characterised by a quiet dignity, entirely in tune with her surroundings and demonstrate the greatest respect for both beauty and function.

Documentary | Lee Kang-hyo | Onggi Master

documentary lee kang hyo onggi m jpg webp Documentary | Lee Kang-hyo | Onggi Master documentary

Our documentary tells the story of one of the most respected Korean potters, Lee Kang-hyo and his search for a beautiful life, through his work with clay and the love of his family. Set against the backdrop of his South Korean studio, it gives an insight into the spiritual journey that plays a vital part in his artistic practice.

Lee is world-famous for mastering the traditional Korean technique called Onggi – a technique that allows him to make enormous, often man-sized pots. Watch him constructing three of these giant Onggi pots over a five-day period, culminating in an exciting explosion of glaze and colour as Lee sets about decorating them in his inimitable fashion.

Documentary | Phil Rogers | Drawing in the Air

479639214 640 jpg webp Documentary | Phil Rogers | Drawing in the Air documentary

Filmed on location in Wales, this documentary follows Phil Rogers as he prepares for his 2014 ceramics exhibition at Goldmark Gallery – his first major show in 6 years.

The film shows Rogers at work in and around his studio in Rhayader, Mid-Wales. It shows him throwing cups, bowls and jugs, glazing and decorating and opening his oil and wood-fired kilns.

Rogers discusses his life as a studio potter and the challenges involved. The film also shows a range of his current work.

Documentary | Jim Malone | Potter

jim malone thumb jpg webp Documentary | Jim Malone | Potter documentary

Jim Malone lives and works in the beautiful and remote Cumbrian countryside. Our film provides a rare insight into the working life of one of Britain’s most respected potters. Malone talks about his throwing and glazing techniques as well as the decorating of pots in the traditional Korean style (Hakeme). He fires alone over a 24 hour period.

Documentary | Mike Dodd | The Spirit of Making

mike dodd tb jpg webp Documentary | Mike Dodd | The Spirit of Making documentary

This film provides a unique insight into the working life of Mike Dodd, one of Britain’s most prestigious potters. Dodd lives and works in the beautifully rural surroundings of Glastonbury, Somerset. Here he discusses his love of pots and shares some of his personal philosophies, talking about the importance of using local materials and hand made tools in the making of his work. Watch him unpack his kiln and throw a large textured vase on his kick wheel.

Documentary | Lisa Hammond | A Sense of Adventure

lisa hammond tb jpg webp Documentary | Lisa Hammond | A Sense of Adventure documentary

This documentary follows top UK studio potter Lisa Hammond as she prepares for her 2012 Goldmark exhibition.

Delving into her artistic practice, it provides an insight in to the various stages that go into making her distinctive pieces. We see Lisa at her wheel throwing chawans (teabowls) and a large tsubo jar; firing and unpacking her kiln; and talking about her influences over the years, in particular her love of the Japanese pot making tradition. Also captured on camera is her technique of spraying the soda solution direct into the firebox over a period of three hours, creating the characteristically rich and varied surfaces of her pots.

Documentary | Svend Bayer | Potter

svend bayer documentary slate wlc jpg webp Documentary | Svend Bayer | Potter documentary

Born in Uganda in 1946 to Danish parents, Svend Bayer spent his childhood in Tanganyika. It was during his time at university that Bayer discovered pottery, and a gift from his girlfriend of Bernard Leach’s A Potters 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.