A glimpse into Clive Bowen's Shebbear Pottery
Jun 25, 2026
Clive Bowen allows us a glimpse into his Shebbear pottery to see new work fresh from the kiln appearing in his exhibition alongside work from Masaaki Shibata in 'Masters of Slipware', April 2020. Drew Raitt works closely with Clive Bowen often photographing and documenting his work. Here Drew discusses the most recent work from Clive, appearing in Mas …
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Video Summary
AI GeneratedThe speaker describes the rewarding experience of working with potter Clyde Balian, focusing on the labor-intensive process of packing and firing a wood-burning kiln and the unique, energetic quality of the resulting stoneware and slipware pieces.
I'm very fortunate to work for Clyde Balian. Handling his pots is an absolute joy. Of course
packing a kiln, well it's hard work but Clyde knows exactly where each pot should go to make
the best use of the space. It's amazing the smell of the wood smoke when we're firing is
rewarding. It somehow takes you back to an ancient vibe I think within us all. And then opening the
kiln up after three or four days and seeing these pots glowing and full of energy and light and fire
it's almost as if they're still on fire and we put them on the edge of the kiln to cool down
before we can really handle them or move them. You can see these ribe pots that Clyde made in Japan
still has his slipware style but they're made from stoneware. Each firing is unique. Each
pot is unique but somehow familiar and reassuring and beautiful to handle.
They're so full of light and energy and life and they're so Clyde Balian.