Ruth King, potter and ceramicist, born in Enfield, London. She trained at Camberwell School of Art & Crafts, working in the old Craftsmen Potters Shop to supplement her income. After graduating, Ruth King visited Japan. The experience had a big impact on her approach to ceramics. After four years of living in London, she and her partner moved to York. Initially she shared a studio with David Lloyd Jones and there began salt glazing. She has worked collaboratively on creative projects, most notably with artist-plasterer Peter Baker. Ruth is a council member and Fellow of the Craft Potters Association and is chairman of Ceramic Art , York.
Ruth King is now one of Britain’s pre-eminent salt glaze potters,. Her work is hand-built in stoneware clay and she exploits the vagaries of the kiln and the salt vapours to bring a subtle richness and depth that unifies and articulates the forms. She has exhibited widely and her work can be found in various museum & collections.
Exhibitions:
2017 Solo Exhbition.Contemporary Ceramics, London
2014 Galerie Rosenhauer Göttingen, Germany
2013 ‘Gems’ Contemporary ceramics, London
2010 ‘Through Fifty’ Contemporary ceramics, London
2009 ‘Works in Clay & Fine Plaster’ Dean Clough Galleries, Halifax
2009 Art Works Galleries Newcastle
2007 ‘Clay in the Vale of York’ Lawrence Stern Trust, Coxwold, North Yorks.
2007 Maiden Bridge Arts Centre, Tatham, Lancaster
2006 Saltglasert Keramikk, Ha Gamle Prestegard, Norway.
2006 Ceramics by Ruth King, Plasterwork by Peter Baker, Lund Gallery, Easingwold.
2006 “ Saltzbrand 2006 Hall, Coxwold.
1998 – Paintings by Patrick Nuttgens and Ceramics by Ruth King, Shandy Hall, Coxwold.
1998 – Summer Exhibition, Godfrey and Twatt, Harrogate.
1997 – Group Exhibition, Stonegate Gallery, York.
1995 – Saltglaze, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland.
1994 – Group Exhibition, Kunst und Keramiek, The Netherlands.
1994 – Second Generation, Stonegate Gallery, York.
1993 – Handbuilt Ceramics, Rufford Craft Centre, Newark.
1991 – Showcase Exhibition, Craft Potters Shop, London.
1990 – Textiles by Simon Lloyd- Jones and Ceramics by Ruth King, King’s Manor Gallery, Univ. of York.
1989 – Textiles by Simon Lloyd-Jones and Ceramics by Ruth King, Collection Gallery, Ledbury.Hall, Coxwold.
1998 – Paintings by Patrick Nuttgens and Ceramics by Ruth King, Shandy Hall, Coxwold.
1998 – Summer Exhibition, Godfrey and Twatt, Harrogate.
1997 – Group Exhibition, Stonegate Gallery, York.
1995 – Saltglaze, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland.
1994 – Group Exhibition, Kunst und Keramiek, The Netherlands
1994 – Second Generation, Stonegate Gallery, York.
1993 – Handbuilt Ceramics, Rufford Craft Centre, Newark.
1991 – Showcase Exhibition, Craft Potters Shop, London.
1990 – Textiles by Simon Lloyd- Jones and Ceramics by Ruth King, King’s Manor Gallery, Univ. of York.
1989 – Textiles by Simon Lloyd-Jones and Ceramics by Ruth King, Collection Gallery, Ledbury.
1988 – A Celebration of Ceramics, Rufford Craft Centre, Newark.
1988 – Solo Exhibition, Norwich Castle Museum Craft Shop, Norwich.
1987 – Contemporary Saltglaze, Nottingham Castle Museum, Nottingham.
1987 – Group Exhibition, The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland.
1986 – British Ceramics, Galerie der Vier Linden, Asperen, The Netherlands.
1985 – British Ceramics, Galerie Charlotte von Finkenstein, Hamburg.
1985 – Paintings by Sarah Williams and Ceramics by Ruth King, Grape Lane Gallery, York.
1985 – Some peoples Pots, York City Library.
1984 – British Ceramics, New Craftsmen Gallery, New York.
1984 – Group Exhibition, New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham.
1984 – Individual Eye, Craft Potters Shop, London.
1983 – 8×8 Ceramicists, British Craft Centre, London.
1983 – Studio Ceramics Today, Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
1982 – Makers 82, British Craft Centre, London.
1981 – Handbuilt pots, Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool.
1981 – The New Ceramics, Rufford Craft Centre, Newark.
Collections:
Victoria & Albert Museum, London
Royal Museum of Scotland
Royal Ulster Museum, Belfast
York City Art Gallery
The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent.
Awards
York Art Workers Association, bursary for collaborative project development, 2008
Art Council England, project award, ‘Clay in the Vale of York’, 2007.
Yorkshire Arts, grant towards a new kiln.
Inax Design Prize, 1989
Crafts Council Setting Up, 1981
Books
2016 ‘Going Solo. Ruth kings new exhibition.’ Ceramic Review.Issue 279
2014 Ben Brierley, ‘Firing Kilns’, Bloomsbury
2002 Paul Rice ‘British Studio Ceramics’ Crowood Press
2001 Rosemary Cochrane ‘Salt Glaze Ceramics’ Crowood Press
1990 Oliver Watson ‘British Studio Pottery’ Phaidon
Pat Carter ‘Dictionary of Potters Marks’ Scholar Press
1982 Emmanuel Cooper ‘Electric Kiln Pottery’ Batsford.
