As a recreational sub-aqua diver, he finds that a symbiosis occurs between himself and the inner space of the underwater world. He feel privileged to observe the natural balance of life underwater expressed through the abundance of vibrant forms and colour combinations. The imagination of the forces at work in nature seems to have no boundaries beneath the waves. It is not his desire to reproduce what he observes in a literal sense but to express through those qualities and properties of clay, the essence of his observations of life underwater. The second body of work also reflects the importance of friendship and his other passion, cooking and entertaining. In 1996 Ian was a regional finalist in the ‘Masterchef’ competition.

It is his intention to mix the art of cooking with the art of pot making, to create a functional range of ceramics, enhancing functionality, the presentation of food. The decorated surfaces are mainly chun, wood ash, and sea shell glazes on stoneware or porcelain clay bodies. The ash used has been collected by friends. For example, during a recent visit to Southern Ireland, peat and potato ash were collected, sea shells collected by my wife and mother. The use of chun reminds me of the kind of surface found on sea shells and the movement of water. Tools used to inform the work are items once again that have been given to me by dear friends both alive and recently passed on, for example a ’Spurtle’, or a piece of slate from the roof of my mothers home, which has been formed into a profile tool, the profile is of a ‘Windsor chair’ in which I sit in my mothers North Wales home. The tools used are tools originally given for the preparation of food, now it is appropriate to use them in his ceramic work. Ian marks his work with a gold ‘dolphin ring’ made for me by my wife. All of these resources are important to the pieces as they link the passion that he has for his family, friends and work. Being able to use such components is like being with these people. It is a reminder of the essence and value of friendship. Tools used to inform the work are items once again that have been given to me by dear friends both alive and recently passed on, for example a ’Spurtle’, or a piece of slate from the roof of my mothers home, which has been formed into a profile tool, the profile is of a ‘Windsor chair’ in which I sit in my mothers North Wales home