ABOUT THE MAKER
I was born in Salisbury, Wilts. In 1942.
My later decision to make a living by working with clay came from two influences. Firstly, the enthusiasm of Richard Cusden, the Art Teacher at Bishop Wordsworth School who introduced me to throwing on the potter’s wheel and secondly from delving about in the New Forest Romano-British kiln sites close to my home.
My first career, however, was in cartography and photogrammetry. This began during a period of residence in Australia and continued in the UK, Middle East, South America and Canada where I and my new bride Jackie lived for many years in the 1960’s. I began potting for a living after our return to England in 1972. Initially with Pru Greene at Alvingham, Lincs. and then with Alan Caiger-Smith at Aldermaston Pottery. In 1979 I established my own workshop at Collingbourne Kingston, in my native Wiltshire. Here, with Jackie keeping the paperwork up to date and welcoming enquiries, I work alone, fulfilling commissions, preparing for exhibitions and shows and keeping the display area stocked.
My work, whilst not being imitative, doubtless reflects my interest in both the aims and influences of the Arts and Crafts Movement and in Islamic design traditions. I am a visiting tutor at the Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts department of the Prince’s Foundation, London and a fellow of the British Craft Potters Association.
Selected Bibliography
LAURENCE McGOWAN Exhibition catalogue with essay by
Malcolm Haslam
Richard Dennis Publications
POTTERY, PEOPLE AND TIME Alan Caiger-Smith
Richard Dennis Publications
LETTERING ON CERAMICS Mary White
A & C Black
SOURCES OF INSPIRATION Carolyn Genders
A & C Black
ELEGANT SOLUTIONS The Craftsman Magazine July 2003
www.craftsman-magazine.com/issues/144/laurence_mcgowan.php
A POTTER’S PRIMER Morgen Hall
Krause Publications
WORKING TO COMMISSION Hannah Wingrave
Ceramics in Society Spring 2001
The Last Word in Craft and Design CRAFT & DESIGN
July/August issue 2007
Television
LAURENCE McGOWAN PAINTS A JUG One from a series of ‘Handmade’ films
