Blue and Turquoise Single Espresso Cup

SGW Lab was founded in London in 2018 to expand the scale of my personal work production and to expand the possibilities of production. Currently, there are 6 full-time staff members, including myself.

SGW Lab has a slogan: "The Art of people". It is the title of a lecture that William Morris delivered in 1879 at the Birmingham Society of Arts and School of Design. Morris explained the importance of craftsmanship in the social situation in which the Industrial Revolution was unfolding, with the phrase: "Art which is to be made by the people and for the people, as a happiness to the maker and the user." He led the Arts and Crafts movement, seeing art as an expression of pleasure in human labour.

​In the 21st century, the significance of handicrafts has been greatly undermined by the development of the Internet, artificial intelligence (AI) and industrial machines. In this era, the significance of craftsmanship, in other words, the worth of human labour, is being questioned again. Thus, it makes sense to rethink Morris's idea: "Art which is to be made by the people and for the people, as a happiness to the maker and the user". 

Richard’s work explores colour and abstract patterns in strong forms that capture the ebb and flow of the sea and the landscape of South West Dorset.

As a member of several pottery associations including Professional Member of the Craft Potters Association and ex chairman of the West Country Potters Association, he has been selected over the years for many ceramic fairs here in England and in Europe. His work is sold in many galleries in the UK from Scotland to Cornwall and also the Caribbean.

Richard’s current work has a strong emphasis on slip decoration, with bold, abstract designs overlaid with slip-trailed patterns. He produces a wide range of domestic ware as well as larger, “one-off” vases and plates.

Recently Richard has been working on flat form pots, some in black and others have textures on them to reflect the ruggedness of the coast where he works.

These slipware pots have a direct connection to the tradition in England of applying designs as done hundreds of years ago, brought up to date with fresh colours and lively patterns.