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MADE
IN CLEY was founded in 1984. The four founder members, (Wolf, Gunhild,
Barbara and Quay) came from Germany, Britain and the USA. We had all met
while studying Germany, where we also set up our first studio together.
Inspired by British studio pottery and sculpture we wanted to contribute
to that tradition and take it further.
In 1984 we were ready to take the leap and move to Norfolk and open our own
gallery.
The small
coastal village of Cley-next-the-Sea in Norfolk became our new base.The old
village shop in Cley, a beautiful Regency shop with all its original fittings
gave us the ideal gallery space for our work and there was also ample room
for our various workshops.
Since then
we have managed to establish a wide customer base in the area and beyond and
amongst the many holidaymakers that visit Cley in the summer.
Our set-up
and our way of working are unusual in the studio pottery world. We share
all aspects of pottery making and processing such as glazing, firing and
selling. Our work is the result of continuous exchange and cross influences.
Even the most individual piece would not be made without contributions
from others. Hence the decision not to sign our pots individually but
sell them under the MADE IN CLEY name. We allow ourselves the freedom
to follow our own individual concepts making the pots that we like and
give each other space for new developments. This co-operation crosses
the boundaries of the various crafts made here. The jeweller and the potters
often work together on projects and we have expanded our interests into
other areas such as graphic work and sculpture.
Functional
wheel thrown pottery is still at the centre of our work. Fusing function
and beauty by creating pots for everyday use, that are a lasting source
of satisfaction and pleasure, will always be our overriding aim.
At present
there are 8 people working at MADE IN CLEY. Wolfgang Altmann: pottery, sculpture,
prints, Gunhild Espelage: pottery, Christiane Guenther: pottery, Richard Kelham:
pottery, Quay Proctor-Mears: jewellery, Mary Perry: pottery, Rosalind Redfern:
pottery Barbara Widdup: pottery.
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