Robin Welch English, 1936-2019

Overview
Robin Welch
'Tea Bowl' stoneware by Robin Welch
Well into  his 80's, Robin Welch was still producing ceramics out of sheer pleasure and was making some of his finest pieces.
 

At 15-years-old, as a student at Penzance School of Art, his breakfast set was selected for presenatation to Prince Charles in celebration of the school's 100th anniversary, signalling a bright future in the art world and in particular the field of ceramics.  Over time Robin has gained a solid reputation; teaching and lecturing, whilst creating art all over the world.

 

His dedication mirrors not only the extent of his output, after all, being a former paratrooper might inspire such persistence, but the experience and passion that inspires every artwork he creates.  Travelling from the USA, Australia, New Zealand, to Germany and finally, England, where Robin was born and his home studio is located, there is a vast variety of styles to be observed throughout his oeuvre.

Biography
Robin Welch
'Tea Bowl' stoneware by Robin Welch
1936    Born Nuneaton, Warwickshire.
1952    Studied at Nuneaton School of Art.
1953    Moved to Cornwall, studied at Penzance School, National Diploma
            in Art and Design. Worked at the Leach Pottery, St Ives.  
1956    National Service followed by postgraduate studies at Central 
            School of Art, London Appointed as Technical Assistant.
1958    Part time work at Leach Pottery, resident in Cornwall. 
1960    Started his own workshop in London, began part-time teaching.
1961    Work accepted by the Council of Industrial Design.
1962    In Australia. Helpled Ian Sprague to establish a pottery workshop.
1965    Returned  to  England and established Stradbroke Pottery.
1976    Awarded CAC bursary. 
1979    Craftsman in residence, Victoria, Australia. 
1980    Craftsman in residence, Monash University.  ​
1982    Craftsman in residence, Indiana University, U.S.A.
            Invited to judge Ceramic Awards in New Zeland.
1984    Returned to England, continued production in Stradbroke.
1985    Commission for large candle holders for Lincoln Cathedral.  
1986    Major retrospective at The Hanley Museum, Stoke-on-Trent.
1990    Visit to New South Wales to further study the outback landscape
            influencing his work to date.
1990    Beaux Arts exhibition in Bath.
1991    Solo exhibition at the Rufford Craft Centre.
1993    Exhibtion at Gallery B15, Munich, Germany. 
1994    Exhibits work at Ceramic Arts Gallery, Vienna.
1995    Ceramic Arts Fair, Gallerie L Vienne 1995, Germany.
1996    Solo Exhibition at The Leach Legacy Exhibition, St Ives.
1996    Rufford and Hatfield Art and Ceramic Fairs.
1996    Solo Exhibition at The Leach Legacy Exhibition, St Ives.
1997    Exhibition at the Bircham Gallery, Holt, Norfolk.
2000    Major exhibition at the John Bedding Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall.
2000    Exhibition at Lynne Strover Gallery, Cambridge.
2001    Beaux Arts exhibition, Bath.
2002    Continued annual exhibitions at Fire & Earth Ceramic Fair, Rufford
            and Art in Clay, Hatfield.
2003    Maltby Contemporary Art, Winchester.
2006    Exhibition at Rufford, Warwickshire.
2007    Exhibition at the Bluecoat Centre, Liverpool.
2014    Large retrospective exhibition at the Leach Gallery, St Ives.
2015    RWC 'Created', and large exhibition at the The Leach Pottery, St Ives.
2016    CPA Honarary Fellow Membership Award.
 
COMISSIONS & AWARDS

​​​​​​​​​​1976    Crafts Advisory Council Bursary
1985    Large Candleholders for Lincoln Cathedral
1987    Large Panel for National Westminister Bank, London. 
1988    Commission for Dame Elisabeth Frink.
1989    Purchase from Sir David Attenborough for private collection. 
1990    Planters Award for the National Garden Festival, Gateshead. 
1999    Peers Award, National Ceramic Fair. 
2016    Honorary Fellow Membership for Crafts Potters Association

Exhibitions