Michael Kay

I am an artist and my main medium is "Clay".
“Since discovering clay I have become fascinated by the amazing complexity and unpredictability of the medium and the endless possibilities for the making and decorating of a form. I have found that in the concept of “The Illustrated Vessel”, the application of fun, playful and narrative images onto a three dimensional canvas, using the volumetric and sculptural aspects of the form, open up endless creative possibilities.
My pieces could be seen as sculptural but they are always vessels, this is important to me"."I work on the edge of the potter's craft and consider myself rather as a painter or illustrator of three dimensional objects whereby the surface of the pot is my canvas. The shape and its surface decoration must be truly integrated and as such the physical process of making and surface treatment combines the art of a potter, sculptor and painter.
I am strongly influenced by past traditions, but at the same time am constantly trying to break away from them and to find new ways of telling old stories. I want to cross traditional boundaries in the presentation of the ceramic form whilst using it to engage the onlooker in a narrative or fantasy, much the same way as those maste...

My academic training was in painting and print-making at Willesden Art School/London, UK, in the 1950's.
Subsequently, I worked for many years as a Graphic Designer, working in the USA, Israel and The UK, until in the early 90's I discovered the medium of clay. I then undertook a 1 year post graduate course in ceramics at Goldsmiths College/University of London.
I am currently living and working in France.

1993.“Starting Out”.Business Design Centre, London. U.K.
1993. Pam Shomberg Gallery, U.K.
1993. New Ashgate Gallery, U.K.
1999. Finalist: Sydney Meyer International Ceramics Award, Shepperton, Australia.
2000. Finalist: 4me Biennal Europia de Ceramica, Museo de Ceramica, Manises, Valencia, Spain.
2000. Finalist: Concurs de Ceramica 2000, Museo de Ceramica L'Alcora, Spain.
2002. Galerie Artis Factum, Bordeaux, France.
2003. Galerie Artis Factum, Bordeaux, France.
2004. Galerie Anagama, Paris, France.
2005. Museum Bernard Palissy, Saint-Avit Lacapelle Biron, France.
2005. Galerie du Don, Monsalvy, France.
2005. Levallois Perret, Paris, France.
2005. Galerie Terra Viva, St Quentin la Poterie, France.
2006. Galerie Adama, Bordeaux, France.
2006. Galerie Anagama, Paris, France.
2007. Ceramic Art London, RCA, London, U.K.
2007. Le Cloitre de Récollets, Bergerac, France.
2007. 10me Festival de Ceramique, Hastangues, les Landes, France.
2007. "Sept Artistes", Pomarede, Le Lot, France.
2007. “Erotisme dans L'artisanat'd'art”, Penne d'Agenais, France.
2007. “Art Contemporaine”, Carousel du Louvre, Paris, France.
2008. 2me Festival de Ceramique, Paris 11me, Paris, France.
2008. Imagine Gallery, Long Melford, Suffolk,U.K...