Craftsman Magazine
January 2003 - by Angie Bowyer

Red Dust Ceramics is based at Kirkhale in Northumberland, birthplace of Capability Brown. It's a gem of a place, with a wealth of talent and craftsmanship for visitors to enjoy and buy, plus a homely coffee shop which simply invites you to linger a while. On the day we visited, a log fire burned in the grate and there was a comforting aroma of home made soup and warm bread.

Dennis has only been running his business since 2001, prior to that having spent time as a stone carver, a period in education and several years in industry - all of which paved the way for what he does now. "Red Dust Ceramics is the result of a passionate love of sculpture and twenty five years of experience in ceramics," Dennis explained. "My inspiration comes from a fascination of antiquity and mythology created by childhood memories of living on the island of Cyprus. Exploring as a child I would suddenly discover seemingly discarded fragments of a previous age. The edge of a pillar, the remains of a statue. The juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern, on the one hand a random event, on the other a conscious and purposeful placement, always fascinates and intrigues."

The childhood that Dennis refers to obviously had a huge influence on him, as we spoke he reflected on the shapes and styles that he first discovered through Greek architecture and which he now uses as inspiration for some of his work. Stylised and echoing his own memories of the classical shapes and forms, the pieces Dennis makes for the modern world capture a strongly traditional element within them.

Working with clay seems to run in the family, as Dennis's brother used to work as a monk in the pottery at Prinknash Abbey. Having always had an interest in sculpture, Dennis says that he "got sidelined into ceramics" but "I can't stand throwing." He worked at one time setting up slip casting procedures in factories and, in his endeavours to get back on track with sculpting, he spent time as a stonecarving apprentice to Simon Verity of Malmesbury, who is known for his work on Bristol and Wells Cathedrals. Although he enjoyed his time as a stone carver, Dennis still has the callouses on his hands as evidence of the toil that was involved. "Stone is hard to work with." he recalled. "The sculpture is in there somewhere, you've just got to find it. But if you go wrong, you've lost it. Clay is much easier, much more versatile to use." Dennis clearly has an empathy with the material. He wanders back into his memories of childhood, Greek ruins and artefacts found in the earth. "I like to use even the smallest bits of clay to create something from even the tiniest pieces. The little that then remains is washed away and returns back to the earth that it came from, where eventually all of it will be, once again."

Dennis describes his work as 'sculptural pieces for ordinary people', some of whom have enjoyed viewing it in displays in local gardens. It really does look quite magnificent set amongst shrubs and trees, the contrast in form and texture creating a pleasing visual balance. "For some time I have wanted to make something really large to be sited at Newcastle Town Moor, a sculpture on the hill for everyone to enjoy," Dennis disclosed. "Angel of the North beat me to it, though," he said, with a hint of regret.

Dennis seems to be quite passionate about the North and is keen to encourage more people to visit the area he works in. It does have some spectacular scenery and peaceful places to enjoy a personality of it's own almost. Kirkhale Courtyard and Red Dust Ceramics nestle in a tranqil setting just twenty minutes from Newcastle, along the A696 road to Jedburgh, fifteen minutes north of Hexham.The surrounding countryside was landscaped by Capability Brown and provides the perfect backdrop to the Kirkhale Courtyard development. In addition to Dennis's studio, there is also a furniture maker working on site and a designer jeweller. Each studio has been specially created for the craftsman who works there, step into their workplace and it's like another world, so well thought out is each one. In keeping with the existing level of skill and originality there is soon to be a violin maker, a pate de verre glass artist and book binder joining the group, with more studio space becoming available next year.

"All we need now is plenty of visitors," Dennis told me. "I used to feel protective about the isolation I enjoyed in this part of the world, but now I'm shouting it out loud, with a 'Follow me to Northumbria' sign in my car. There are so many very talented craftspeople in this country, many working in beautiful surroundings, but there are not many places like this in the North of England, we're very lucky."