Ernest Shufflebotham (Britain/New Zealand) ceramics

Ernest Shufflebotham (1908 - 1984) was a British ceramic artist who later became a prominent figure in the New Zealand pottery scene. He is known for his unique approach to ceramics, which combined traditional techniques with modern design.

Shufflebotham was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, which was known for its pottery industry. He was trained by Keith Murray, a New Zealand-born ceramic designer, while at Wedgwood in England and later worked in various pottery studios in England and Europe, honing his craft.

In 1948 Shufflebotham was brought to New Zealand by Crown Lynn along with a number of other designers including Frank Carpay to produce more upmarket works that would expand the market for Crown Lynn ceramics. He was one of the few professional "throwers" working in New Zealand during the period from his arrival in 1948 to his departure in 1957. The matt white finish of his work more... was made possible by Crown Lynn"s 1948 development of a formula based on Matauri sourced clay, which consistently burned white.

Shufflebotham's work was heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement, as well as the traditional English pottery techniques that he had learned in his youth. His pieces were often wheel-thrown, and he used a variety of glazes and surface treatments to create unique textures and designs. He was known for his simple, elegant forms and his attention to detail, and his work is highly prized by collectors in New Zealand and around the world.

In addition to his work as a potter and teacher, Shufflebotham was also an active member of the New Zealand Society of Potters and helped to establish many of the country's ceramics organizations and institutions. He was a founding member of the New Zealand Society of Potters and played a key role in establishing pottery as a respected art form in New Zealand. Shufflebotham taught pottery at the Elam School of Art in Auckland during the 1950s and 1960s. He also taught at the Wellington Technical College and the Otago School of Art.

He passed away in 1994 at the age of 86. less...