©MarkCampden

Eyecatching lustreware

Mark creates otherworldly ceramic surfaces
He is carrying on a family tradition
He enjoys the challenges of his chosen technique

Mark Campden grew up in a creative environment, his mother made sculptural ceramics and his father worked at the renowned Aldermaston Pottery. After his father passed away, he was gifted his notes. These notes allowed Mark to work with lustre firings, a laborious process, but with stunning results. He is one of very few potters working in this way, and, as he explains the steps involved, it is clear why. Each step has to be executed correctly, from creating the forms to work on to making the pigments from copper and silver, from drying the wood (for up to three years) to monitoring the firing to ensure the glowing lustre finish is achieved. Each step requires skills that Mark has built up through experience and he is truly a master of this craft.

Mark Campden is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1991

Discover his work

Fern and Moth Charger

Fern and Moth Bowl

Blue/Gold Lustre Hare Bowl

Large Lustre Bowl With Moths and Fish

Midnight Hare Bowl

INTERVIEW

Making ceramics involves a combination of knowledge and skills in many processes and techniques. The making, glazing, firing, decorating of a piece and all the various technologies behind each of those processes are wide-ranging, endlessly interesting and challenging.

My shapes are generally designed and made with the painting process in mind. Creating gentle curves, wide rims and flat areas makes for a good painting ‘canvas’. Shallow bowls and flat areas are important for the lustreware pieces, creating larger reflective surfaces.

My pigment palette basically consists of two critical metal compounds, those are copper and silver. How I paint these onto the pot’s surface combined with the nature of the firing process is what gives the ephemeral unique finish to each piece.

While making, I am often aiming for a certain vision which I have of a finished piece but sometimes with this technique things turn out in unexpected ways. I have learned to accept the new and interesting avenues that unexpected results can lead to.