Malcolm Law



Malcolm LawMalcolm Law

Malcolm Law's themes are based on life, often including mythological figures in anachronistic situations. Nautical themes including Neptune and Britannia are frequently used as central figures. Malcolm's satisfaction comes from the viewer’s realisation of the humour in these ceramics. This may be obvious, but sometimes the viewer has to look closely to appreciate the subtle comedy.

Most of his work is “one-off” although he often revisits themes using the same characters but interpreted differently. The clay he prefers to use is St. Thomas’ Body oxidising and more recently T Material with the occasional use of Craft Crank. The work is hand built using slabbing, coiling and modelling techniques. That he then textures and moulds with such tools as old pens, an old scalpel, and some specially carved wood or paintbrush handle. He uses underglaze to colour the white work and black iron oxide and manganese oxide are used to detail the others. All work is biscuit fired to 1000°C, and fired to stoneware at 1240°C in an electric kiln. Gold and platinum lustres are applied to pick out points of detail which then requires a third firing to 740°C.

Malcolm has been a member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen since 1988, and was chairman from 1992 to 1994 and from 2001 to 2004. His work has also appeared in many of The Devon Guild of Craftsmen exhibitions and many other galleries in the UK.

As well as the UK his ceramic sculptures are all over the world including collections in Australia, Spain and America. He also took part in the West Country Craftsmen UK-Japan 1999-2000 exchange exhibition at Nagi Moca Museum of Contemporary Art and other venues in South West Japan.