DEREK DAVIS

Derek Davis, one of Britain’s leading post war potters (1926-2008),  studied painting at the Central School, London.

Internationally known as a ceramicist and chosen by Dr Roy Strong as one of the two ceramicists most representative of the spirit of the seventies, Derek Davis’ work can be found in museums, galleries and private collections worldwide, including the V&A.

In the post-war period and into the fifties and sixties he pushed the boundaries of clay, at a time when most potters followed the teachings of Bernard Leach (for whom form was determined as much by function as aesthetics). This stemmed from his imagination and inquisitiveness for materials, concepts and ideas not usually associated with clay, but more clearly aligned with fine art.

Derek was a member of the Contemporary Applied Arts, the International Academy of Ceramics, and in 1967 was Artist in Residence at the University of Sussex.

Since 1994, he concentrated on painting, in both his abstract and figurative signature style, the latter often being on the subject of love and relationships, his paintings often invite the viewer to consider the "story" being portrayed in the figurative works.

He has exhibited widely including three times at the V&A (1960, 1983 and 1994), throughout the UK, Europe and the USA (Maceys) and Japan (T Moriyama, Tokyo). Derek Davis’ work is in a number of collections including V&A, Contemporary Art Society, Garth Clark Colorado, Aberdeen Museum and the Ford Motor Company (Brentwood).

Derek Davis died in September 2008, after having lived and worked in Arundel for over 50 years. He contributed immensely in supporting contemporary art and artists in Sussex and will be sadly missed.