Established in 2006 Red Lion Pottery produces ash-glazed stoneware for the home and garden inspired by the natural world and oriental culture. Prior to this I worked as a General Practitioner but I had an interest in ceramics from an early age probably generated by the BBC interlude film “The Potter’s Wheel’ shown during the 1950’ and 1960s. My first real introduction to making pots was in evening classes during my early 20’s but I didn’t train seriously until much later following early retirement in 2002. At this point I studied for a City & Guilds in ceramics and then a diploma at Derby University. Since then I have attended numerous workshops and masterclasses with well known and distinguished British and Japanese potters, all of whom have significantly influenced me. Inspired by the natural world and oriental culture, I make individual, thrown, functional and decorative pieces. Influenced particularly by Japanese potters, I also create hand-built and carved pieces. I work in stoneware and fire in either a gas or combined gas & wood-fired kiln. Glazes are based on traditional oriental recipes and usually incorporate local wood ashes. The combination of natural ash and the raw flame produce new and exciting effects with each firing. Alan Birchall : Curriculum Vitae 2002-06 City & Guilds Certificate & Diploma in Ceramics 2004-06 University of Derby LTW Diploma in Ceramics 2003-4 Short courses in Chinese calligraphy and painting 2005 Two week workshop with Japanese master, Matsuzaki Ken 2006 Two week workshop with David & Margaret Frith 2007 Wood-fired Kiln Building & Firing Workshop with Nic Collins 2010 One week Masterclass workshop with Lisa Hammond and Japanese potters Shozo Michikawa & Rizu Takahashi 2011 Japanese Contemporary Ceramics Masterclass and weekend workshop at Whichford Pottery 2014 Masterclass with Elizabeth Cohen in Singapore Exhibitions 2006 Summer Exhibition ‘Where I Fell in Love’ Gallery, Shipston on Stour 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014 x2 Joint exhibitions at The Gallery Upstairs, Henley in Arden 2007, 2009, 2011 University of Nottingham Summer Exhibition , Djanogly Gallery 2010 Joint exhibition as ‘Earthworks’ (5 potters) in Buxton Festival Art Trail 2010 Solo exhibition at Trinity Arts Centre, Gainsborough 2011 Joint exhibition as ‘Earthworks’ (7 potters) at Arkwright’s Mill, Cromford 2011 Bakers Dozen Exhibition at The Roundhouse Gallery, Foston, Derbyshire 2012 Winter exhibition at The Found Gallery, Dunbar, Scotland 2013 International Chawan Expo, Taiwan 2014 International Chawan Expo, Singapore. Gave presentation and deomonstrations. 2015 International Chawan Expo, Belgium Ceramic Fairs, Festivals & Open Studios 2006-2015 Open Studios at Red Lion Pottery 2008 Ceramics in the Round, Buxton 2009 Ceramics in the Round, Buxton; ’Hotpots’, Belvoir 2009 Earth & Fire, Rufford 2008 – 2015 Various Potfest fairs 2011, 2012 British Craft Trade Fair 2012, 2013, 2015 Lady Bay Arts Festival 2013 Derbyshire Food & Craft Fair; Melbourne Festival 2015 Melbourne Festival