Michael Rice

Ceramicist

©Michael Rice

Glory handmade from the ground

Michael is a ceramicist inspired by nature
His work has been exhibited all over the world
He loves experimenting and seeing what comes next

Michael Rice’s work is concerned with surface, texture, natural geometry, Gestalt principals and archetypal forms. Materials have always been important to him, and he is driven to create work that displays a mastery over material. He has a degree in Fine Craft Design, a postgraduate certificate in Education (Art and Design), and a Master’s degree in Multi-Disciplinary Design, all from the University of Ulster. Michael is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics based in Geneva. As a writer he has published articles in the UK-based international magazine Ceramic Review, and the Australian publication Ceramics Art and Perception. He recently exhibited at Expo2020 in Dubai and Collect 23 in London.

Interview

©Michael Rice

©Michael Rice

Have you always been making with your hands?: Yes, since I was a child, tactility has been very important to me. I was always obsessed with imagery. When I would look at books or magazines the pictures were far more important to me than the text. The pure excitement of the moment of creation was my passion.
What drew you to clay?: Clay really is wondrous. When I first used clay, I realised that this material was something I had to master. I needed to understand the processes, skills and techniques that would transform this soft malleable and forgiving material into a hard and fixed ceramic form.
What is your inspiration for creating?: When I occasionally manage to create something that works especially well, there is a moment when all the struggles of the process of creation collapse into an epiphanous bliss. It is quite simply transcendent, calming and exciting; it is magical. It is the reason I continue.
What do you love most about your profession?: I enjoy the fact that my work is truly composed of the earth, from materials presumed to be of little value, inert, materials that are found everywhere. I love the idea that I am literally creating solid beauty from the dirt, dirt in all its mundane glory.

Michael Rice is a master artisan: he began his career in 1993 and he started teaching in 2001