Clive Bowen studied painting and etching at Cardiff Art School before taking up an apprenticeship with Michael Leach at Yelland Pottery in North Devon. In 1971, he bought a small agricultural property at Shebbear, near Holsworthy in North Devon and from there, he set up a workshop and studio in the former farm outhouses.

Clive’s pots are made from a red earthenware clay which has been used for centuries for traditional North Devon wares. He is a classic studio potter whose work is greatly admired in Japan. His work is held in numerous public collections. This December will also showcase an exciting collaboration with Mark Hearld in the form of slipware plates and tiles.

Clive Bowen

Born: 1943

Place of Birth: Cardiff

The form and function of my work can be traced back to centuries-old pots such as English medieval jugs and early Tamba ware from Japan.

Clive Bowen studied painting and etching at Cardiff Art School before taking up an apprenticeship with Michael Leach at Yelland Pottery in North Devon from 1965 until 1969. In 1971 he bought a small agricultural property at Shebbear, near Holsworthy in North Devon and set up a workshop in the former farm outhouses. His pots are made in the local Fremington clay, a red earthenware clay in use for centuries for traditional North Devon wares. They are almost all wheel thrown with the exception of a few hand-pressed dishes.

Public collections include:
Victoria & Albert Museum, London; National Museum of Wales, Cardiff; Ulster Museum, Belfast; Crafts Council Collection, London; York City Art Gallery; Stoke on Trent City Museum; Winnipeg Art Gallery, Canada; Mingeikan, Tokyo; Mashiko Museum of Ceramics, Japan; Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.

The Shebbear Pottery

Clive Bowen

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