Pottery Profile

Matthew Tyas at the Leach Pottery, St Ives

My making focusses on materials and process, often explored through the metaphors of seasons and landscape.

I also like traditional forms and glazes. In my spare time I work with residents as the Volunteer Potter at Bosence Farm Drug & Alcohol Treatment Centre, where I make pots.

Employment & Freelance Work

I work full-time as the Curator at the Leach Pottery, St Ives, where I oversee an active exhibition programme. My focus for 2020/21 is delivery relating to the Pottery’s centenary celebrations. Previous areas of  research, curation, and publication activity have focussed on Emmanuel Cooper, David Leach and Trevor Corser.

I also love to work on freelance projects. Some of my current research interests include the life and work of Leach potter William Marshall and the design and production of Leach Standard Ware which occurred at the Leach Pottery over several decades from the 1940s onwards.

  • Doctor of Philosophy: Falmouth University (Autonomatic Research Group) & the Leach Pottery: 2010 – 2015. Title: “Designing 21st Century Standard Ware: The Cultural Heritage of Leach and the Potential Applications of Digital Technologies”
  • Master of Arts, Ceramics:
  • PGCE (PCET): The University of Huddersfield, 2006 – 2007
  • Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies with Professional Writing, First Class Honours: Sheffield Hallam University: 1999 – 2002.

Leach Pottery, St Ives, Cornwall

The Leach Pottery is currently stocking items from my tableware range and individual pieces like yunomi, guinomi, and lidded vessels.

Porthminster Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall

The Porthminster Gallery currently stock individual pieces like teabowls.

Craft Skills Awards

I attended the inaugural Craft Skills Awards, in London, with Katie Bunnell on behalf of the Autonomatic Research Group at Falmouth University. We won the Judges’ Spotlight Award for digital craft – presented by the Prince of Wales. I also feature in the Craft Skills Awards Film recorded for the Awards. May 2013.

Scratch Magazine – University College Falmouth Alumni Magazine

Scratch Magazine features one of my laser drawings on p40 of the PDF. September 2012.

Livingetc Magazine, modern design ideas

Livingetc Magazine photographed work from the Sea and Sky collection. February 2012.

Bettles Gallery

Work donated to Bettles Gallery for auction at the ‘Hungry Bowl Lunch 2’ on 5th November 2011. November 2011.

Domestic Sluttery: Design Porn: Sea and Sky

Domestic Sluttery features work from my Sea and Sky collection. October 2011.

Paint Pixels and Beyond 2

Paint Pixels and Beyond 2 features work from my Sea and Sky and Melting Snow collections on local TV. See 06:18 minutes onwards. September 2011.

Heart Gallery

Heart Gallery: Meet the Maker: Matthew Tyas features work from my Sea and Sky collection. July 2011.

Card and Gift Blog

Card and Gift Blog: Gifts: Matthew Tyas Ceramics features work from my Sea and Sky collection. March 2011.

Mosaic Magazine

Mosaic Magazine Issue 48 with pictures, text, and a little background to my involvement in ceramics and recent work. Issue 48, pp37-9, November 2010.

High Tea, Porthminster Gallery, St Ives

A “…selling show of contemporary ceramic chawans and yunomis by six acclaimed potters explores the themes and tradition of the Eastern tea bowl.” With Tim Andrews, Sun Kim, Tim Lake, John Pollex, Matthew Tyas, and Maggie Zerafa.
28 April – 9 June 2018.

Teachers’ Pots: Celebrating The Work Of Our Education Team, Leach Pottery, St Ives

A group exhibition with the Education Team, featuring Amanda Brier, Jacqueline Clark, Chloe Hefford, Debbie Prosser, Matthew Tyas, and Fleur Winter.
4 November 2017 – 27 January 2018.

Press Gang, Penwith Gallery, St Ives

An exiting joint exhibition with the ceramicists Linda Styles and Helen Marton alongside several great local printmakers in the famous Penwith Gallery.
October – November 2016
.

In-House Show, Leach Pottery, St Ives

A joint Leach Pottery exhibition showcasing the work of the Leach Pottery staff, including myself and Roelof Uys, Kat Wheeler, Britta James, Callum Trudgeon, Matthew Foster, Jordan Scott, Laurence Eastwood, Jo Wason, Amanda Brier, Jackie Clarke, and David Griffin.
28 May – 3 July 2016
.

Echo of Leach, Leach Pottery, St Ives

A Leach Pottery exhibition exploring 21st century Standard Ware through digital craft & potters’ practice. Curated by Matthew Tyas. Facebook Community page.
15 June – 15 September 2013.

Art at Heart

Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, to include pieces from across my Sea and Sky collection.
13 June – 24 July 2011.

MADE:BARNSLEY

Digital Media Centre, selected exhibition exploring new ways of curating, exhibiting and selling contemporary art and design produced by the people and businesses of Barnsley.
4 April – 17 June 2011.

Selected Exhibition of William Marshall and Leach-Related Ceramics

Cambridge Book and Print Gallery, to accompany the launch of a limited edition book by Peter Maber: William Marshall: Organic Vision. Also featuring work by Bernard Leach, David Leach, Kenneth Quick, Trevor Corser, Andrew Marshall, and Amanda Brier, alongside examples of Leach Standard Ware.
2 November – 14 November 2010.

Selected Exhibition at Platform Gallery

Platform Gallery, Clitheroe. Featuring work from my Sea and Sky collection.
11 September – 30 October 2010.

Solo Exhibition at The Clare White Gallery

The Clare White Gallery, Elsecar Heritage Centre, especially focussing on my Sea and Sky and Melting Snow collections.
18 September – 18 October 2010.

Selected Exhibition at Rufford Craft Centre

Rufford Craft Centre, selected exhibition of Northern Potters Association ceramic makers.
30 March – 9 May 2010.

25 Years of MA Ceramics

25 Years, Cardiff, celebrating 25 Years of MA Ceramics at the Cardiff School of Art & Design. Catalogue A-K and L-Z.

Featuring: Billy Adams, Michelle Aked, Daniel Allen, Duncan Ayscough, Tom Barnett, Susan Basham, Jan Beeny, Ben Brierley, Melanie Brown, Peter Bustin, Kelly Campbell, Kristine Chapman, Claire Curneen, David Cushway, Isabella Fazzo, Helen Felcey, Anne Gibbs, Ann Goodfellow, Alison Graham, Paddy Hartley, Dee Honeybun, Duncan Hooson, Simon Hulber, Christina Karekla, Jin Eui Kim, Linda Kieft, Frankie Locke, Claire Loder, Paul McAllister, Alexandra McCurdy, Leah McLaughlin, Clare Mahoney, Emma Maiden, Justin Marshall, Natasha Mayo, Pauline Monkom, Sara Moorhouse, Ingrid Murphy, Paul O’Lomasney, Jung Won Park, Daniela Polz, María Elisa Quiaro, Martin Reiser, Virginia Rood Pates, Susan Stockbridge, Caroline Taylor, Shauna Twardzik, Simon Wess, Conor Wilson, Dawn Youll. Curated by Peter Castle and Conor Wilson.
26 January – 20 February 2009.

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Thanks to everyone who visited me at the popular and high quality GNCCF at Spinningfields, Manchester, where I focussed on my Sea and Sky and Melting Snow collections. 22 October 2010 – 24 October 2010.

Hatfield House Art in Clay

Hatfield House is a great fair! Thank you for visiting me and all your positive comments about my Melting Snow pots. 6 August 2010 – 8 August 2010.

The Art Market, Holmfirth

Thank you to everyone who visited me at The Art Market: your moral support and the sales of my Melting Snow are much appreciated! It was a good event with a great atmosphere and would highly recommend you to visit a future market if you’ve not been before. 6 June 2010.

British Craft Trade Fair

A big thank you to all those who visited me at Stand 320 on my first outing to the BCTF where I unveiled a new range of work: Sea and Sky. 11 April 2010 – 13 April 2010.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Sign up for the latest:

Enter your email to stay up to date,

Subscribe!