Russell Kingston works within the Slipware tradition, drawn to its deep roots in North Devon. It is the tradition’s humble origins, from the everyday medieval pot to its vibrant place in contemporary studio pottery, that continue to inspire and captivate him.
His pots are made for the kitchen, oven and table, with function at their heart, aiming to enhance the everyday experience of cooking and eating.
While 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, using minimal tools and ribs to preserve the human touch and celebrate the making process. He works quickly and confidently, capturing the energy and immediacy of making. The same approach is taken with the application of slip, remaining true to the spontaneity and character of country pottery traditions. A strong aesthetic awareness brings these processes together, resulting in exciting pots that feel full of life.
Russell’s slip decoration is fluid and energetic, celebrating clay in its liquid form while echoing the rich history of slipware. His work draws inspiration from both 17th- and 18th-century Staffordshire slipware dishes and the work of modern slip-trailing masters, while maintaining a distinct style and artistic voice.
