Russell Kingston

Russell Kingston works in the Slipware tradition, drawn to its roots in North Devon, where he is based. From its humble origins in everyday medieval pottery to its vibrant place in contemporary studio ceramics, it is a tradition that continues to captivate him. His pots are made for the kitchen, oven and table, with function at their heart, designed to enhance the everyday experience of cooking, eating and sharing food.
Deeply rooted in North Devon’s heritage and country pottery traditions, Russell’s work has a contemporary freshness. His pots are thrown, slabbed and extruded, and he uses minimal tools and ribs to preserve the human touch and celebrate the making process. Working quickly and confidently, he aims to capture the energy of their creation. He takes the same approach to his use of slip, drawing on the traditions of country pottery while creating lively, expressive pots with a strong sense of movement.
His slip decoration is fluid and energetic — a celebration of clay in its liquid form — and echoes Britain’s rich slipware heritage. Russell draws inspiration from 17th- and 18th-century Staffordshire slipware dishes, as well as the work of modern masters of slip-trailing, while developing a distinct style and artistic voice of his own.
For Russell, the best traditions evolve with time. His work looks to the past for inspiration while continuing to move forwards, finding new ways to keep the tradition of slipware alive.