Matthew Chambers

Matthew’s influences and inspirations for his beautiful circular sculptures include, geometric and optical art, constructivist themes, and modern architecture and design. He pursues these interests in an abstract sense by exploring shape and making mathematically constructed pieces in clay, each built up of many different wheel-thrown sections. On completion, each form conveys different and individual properties of space, light, and colour, and sustains an expression of abstract and rhythmical beauty from its pattern of shape.

Matthew’s sculptures are made using either an earthenware or stoneware clay, with colours added directly into the body of clay. When each form has been constructed, several weeks are allowed for slow drying to minimise shrinkage and warping problems. Once dry the piece is sculpted to achieve a finer shape and then low fired. It is sanded and then high fired again. Once fully fired each piece is polished once again, this time with diamond abrasives to help achieve a very smooth overall finish.

Following a six year apprenticeship with Phillip Wood in Frome, Somerset, Matthew went on to gain a BA (Hons) 1st Class in ceramics at BSUC, Bath. He then went to the Royal College of Art, obtaining an MA in Ceramics and Glass. He has won numerous awards both in the UK and overseas including; The Ceramic Review Prize Awarded at Ceramic Art London and The Poole Pottery Award at New Designers. His work can be found in public collections in the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, the National Museum, Scotland, The Ulster Museum, Belfast, the Swiss national museum of ceramics and glass – the Musée Ariana, Geneva and the Musee National de Ceramique de Sevres, France and private collections worldwide.

In 2018, Matthew’s work was selected by the Michaelangelo Foundation for Homo Faber in Venice. The work was included in the Best of Europe exhibit where hundreds of exceptional works were showcased created by some 150 artist-artisans from all over Europe.

See our feature on Matthew Chambers

See Matthew Chambers in Our Collecting Craft Feature