Walter Keeler

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Potter

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Crochenydd

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Walter Keeler is a British studio potter specializing in salt glaze pottery. Named ‘Welsh Artist of the Year’ in 2007, Walter’s work is held in a number of public collections including Victoria & Albert Museum, American Craft Museum, New York, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.

Currently president of South Wales Potters, Walter was professor of Ceramics at the University of the West of England between 1994 and 2002. His bold and imaginative pieces have been heavily influenced by early Staffordshire Creamware, while taking their own unique formations.

Walter believes his work grows from his passion for ‘pots from the past’ and the joy of making and firing itself. Sometimes making simple, useful, things like mugs or jugs, while on other occasions creating pieces that are a lot less straightforward. These pieces make demands, challenging the user to negotiate with an unexpected pot that seeks to do an ordinary job.

“I hope my pottery brings with its seriousness some humour and sensual pleasure.” – Walter Keeler

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Mae Walter Keeler yn grochenydd stiwdio Prydeinig sy'n arbenigo mewn crochenwaith gwydredd halen. Cafodd Walter ei enwi'n 'Artist Cymreig y Flwyddyn' yn 2007, a chaiff ei waith ei gadw mewn nifer o gasgliadau cyhoeddus gan gynnwys Amgueddfa Victoria & Albert, American Craft Museum, Efrog Newydd, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, ac Amgueddfa Gelf Fodern, Tokyo.

Ac yntau’n llywydd Crochenwyr De Cymru ar hyn o bryd, bu Walter yn athro Cerameg ym Mhrifysgol Gorllewin Lloegr rhwng 1994 a 2002. Tra’n cymryd eu ffurfiau unigryw eu hunain., cafodd ei ddarnau beiddgar a dychmygus eu dylanwadu gryn dipyn gan Staffordshire Creamware.

Mae Walter yn grediniol bod ei waith yn tyfu o’i angerdd am ‘botiau o’r gorffennol’ a’r llawenydd a ddaw o greu a thanio yn ei hun. Weithiau mae’n gwneud pethau syml a defnyddiol fel cwpanau neu jygiau, ac ar adegau eraill mae’n creu darnau sy’n llawer llai syml. Mae’r darnau hyn yn gosod heriau, gan orfodi’r defnyddiwr i negodi gyda phot annisgwyl sy’n ceisio cyflawni swydd arferol.

“Rwy’n gobeithio bod fy nghrochenwaith, ynghyd â’i ddifrifoldeb, yn dod â rhywfaint o hiwmor a phleser synhwyraidd.” – Walter Keeler

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