British Ceramics Biennial 2023

We were delighted to sponsor the 8th British Ceramics Biennial this year, which features the work of over 50 ceramic artists at four venues across Stoke on Trent and Newcastle under Lyme.

The six-week celebration of contemporary ceramics is taking place from 23rd September – 5th November 2023. The exhibitions, events, talks and tours open to the public, provide an insight into some of the most stimulating ceramics being made today.

For more information, visit the British Ceramics Biennial website for details on the exhibits at each venue. 

The ‘Obsolescence and Renewal’ exhibit extends artist Neil Brownsword’s examination of marginalised histories associated with the origins of British ceramic manufacturing. Influenced by Chinese styles and the fashion of tea drinking that came to the UK in the 17th and 18th centuries, potters in North Staffordshire capitalised upon demand for finer wares by trying to emulate porcelain and other ceramics imported from China.

This subsequently led to technology and material innovations and developments, plus a highly skilled and specialist workforce which made Stoke on Trent known today as the ‘Potteries’. Neil's exhibit is on display at The Brampton Museum in Newcastle under Lyme.

Alongside this, the British Ceramics Biennial also commissioned Neil to create a series of limited-edition ceramic tiles. Working closely with our design and product development teams, Neil created the initial designs which were then whittled down to the 7 bespoke tiles that were manufactured at our Stoke on Trent factory.

The tiles are now on sale and on display at All Saints Church, Hanley.

Local ceramic artist Jasmine Simpson collaborated with us in creating her piece ‘There are devils in my house’ for the BCB Award exhibition. It was inspired by 16th century Hellmouth fireplaces which featured ceramic sculptures of little devils. We have previously worked with Jasmine on other projects, so we were thrilled to be asked to be involved with this installation. Our ceramic white tiles were hand painted by Jasmine and fired in our kilns, then expertly put together to create this magnificent piece.

Award features ten UK-based artists who have created brand new work for this year’s BCB. The artists were selected by an expert panel for their bold and compelling proposals, and for their exceptional levels of skill and technique working with clay.