Stephen Murfitt English, b. 1953
"I am driven by an obsession with clay and its artistic versatility. I became addicted to Raku because of the direct involvement with each stage of the process. The pots absorb and reflect the intense drama of the firing. The effects of weathering, erosion and decay provide a constant source of reference and the slow, contemplative pace of coiling allows for considered developments and refinements to be made at each stage in the creative process."
After several years spent as a tutor of ceramics and sculpture at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, Stephen Murfitt now lives and works from an established studio in a converted Methodist Chapel in his native Fens. Another artist who likes to work with small groups of related forms and vessels, Stephen creates hand-built Raku-fired one-off pieces which are completely unique.
Throughout his career, Stephen has exhibited widely throughout the UK, most recently at La Galleria, Pall Mall, London for the Royal Arts Prize. Stephen is a selected member of the Anglian Potters and the Craft Potters Associations and author of ‘The Glaze Book’, published by Thames & Hudson in 2002.
Education:
Cambridge School of Art, foundation course 1972-74
West Surrey College of Art and Design, Farnham 1974-77
Middlesex Polytechnic, Art Teacher’s Certificate 1977-78
On leaving college, Stephen combined teaching Art and Design with making pots. After several years spent at Marlborough College in Wiltshire as the ceramics and sculpture tutor, Stephen returned to his native Fens and established his studio in a converted Methodist Chapel.
Throughout this time, Stephen has exhibited his work widely and most recently at:
La Galleria, Pall Mall, London (Royal Arts Prize)
York Ceramics Fair
Contemporary Ceramics Centre, London
‘Innovations in Ceramic Art’, Cambridge
Primavera Gallery, Cambridge
Pyramid Gallery, York
Gavagan Art, Settle, Yorkshire
Gallery 57, Arundel
Babylon Gallery, Ely, Cambridgeshire
The Old Fire Engine House Gallery, Ely
Stephen is a selected member of the Anglian Potters and The Craft Potters Associations.
Author of ‘The Glaze Book’, published by Thames & Hudson in 2002.
Author of "Contemporary Raku' published by The Crowood Press in Wiltshire in 2021.
Magazine Articles
Ceramics Art + Perception October 2017
Ceramic Review ‘Masterclass’ May/June 2018 , and repeated in July/August 2020 including YouTube.com video
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WHERE ROCKS BECOME SEA | Autumn–Winter Show
4 Nov 2023 - 6 Jan 2024Gallery show of contemporary art for sale, featuring new paintings by artists Sara Dudman, Masako Tobita, and ceramics by Peter Hayes, Charlotte Jones, Mitch Pilkington, Antonia Salmon, Paul Wearing, and prints by Melvyn Evans and Trevor Price, and sculptures by Tommy Rowe and Michael Thacker. With supporting works by leading 20th Century modern artists: Terry Frost, Barbara Hepworth, Victor Pasmore and Joe Tilson. Artworks also available for sale by St Ives and British Artists: Wilhelmina BARNS-GRAHAM, Peter BLAKE, Sandra BLOW, Patrick CAULFIELD, Lynn CHADWICK, Maurice COCKRILL, Terry FROST, Barbara HEPWORTH, Patrick HERON, David HOCKNEY, Bryan INGHAM, Albert IRVIN, Margaret LOVELL, Henry MOORE, Ben NICHOLSON, Victor PASMORE, Bryan PEARCE, Tommy ROWE, William SCOTT, Joe TILSON.Read more -
WINTER GLOW
A glittering showcase of winter delights 3 Dec 2021 - 5 Feb 2022Showcasing precious handpicked offerings by guest and gallery artists, including: Ann Armitage's rich still life paintings; Michael Thacker's hand-carved stone sculptures embellished with 24k gold; Sotis Filippides' ceramic bowls lined...Read more -
PENWITH RHYTHMS: ANCIENT AND SACRED LANDSCAPE
Cornwall’s Prehistoric landscape is the focus of this exhibition of guest artists’ works 23 Oct - 27 Nov 2021The dramatic landscape of west Cornwall has captured the imagination of writers and artists for three centuries, and now this ancient and sacred landscape is explored and celebrated anew in...Read more -
CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS: FORM THROUGH FIRE
Celebrating the very best of contemporary ceramic practice in the UK today 4 Sep - 22 Oct 2021Celebrating the very best of contemporary ceramic practice in the UK today, this major show at Cornwall's award-winning Porthminster Gallery in St Ives features fresh and experimental works by invited...Read more -
CONTAINED
New contemporary ceramics by leading UK and International ceramicists 12 Mar - 9 Apr 2021The Porthminster Gallery in St Ives has a strong reputation for showing quality ceramics by emerging and collected names and is delighted to launch its 2021 season of shows with ‘Contained’, a curated selection of new ceramic 'vessel' forms for Spring by artists showing for the first time with the gallery in St Ives:Read more
Gabriele Koch Ruth King Sotis Filippides Stephen Murfitt Mitch Pilkington
