Michel Ducos

I am a French professional potter living and working in England.
My first experiments in sculpture were as a young boy in French Algeria when I used to gather lumps of wall plaster out of bombed out houses and carve them. Many years later I found myself in London as a Language assistant and part time teacher as part of my studies, and enrolled in a Pottery evening class.
I discovered a real Pottery in my part of East London and started helping on my day off and learning a little.
I was the Saturday boy and Heather was the Wednesday girl.We met at the Christmas party and in 1972 started our own pottery. We moved to Lincolnshire in 1973 and open Alford Pottery. We produce mainly handthrown stoneware tableware and supplied many shops, galleries, restaurants and coffee shops and private customers all over the world.
It wasn't until 2000 that I started sculpting seriously, specialising in stoneware paperclay and occasionally other materials and found objects. Having favored Trompe l'oeil style for years, to deceive and surprise the onlookers, I now sculpt in a more contemporary style and at times abstract. I have also realised many private commissions.

It was never an option for me to study Art as my mother didn't think I would get a "proper" job.
Having started to read Law and Politics at Bordeaux University, after a couple of years I changed to the study of English and found myself posted to London as a language assistant and subsequently a part time French teacher. Having learned a little at pottery evening class, I attached myself to Cilladon Pottery where I helped on my days off and learned a bit more. Since then all our education and knowledge has been on the job and I am now able to help others and always willing to share with other potters.

Over the last 45 years I have exhibited in many Galleries and events and specialised shows as well as organising the British pavilion in an international arts and crafts event in France and running and promoting many exhibitions in the region. We have hosted regular arts exhibitions on different themes in our own marquee gallery since 1989 and a biennial sculpture exhibition since 2003. From January 2025, my sculptures will not be for sale in America, great or otherwise.