Rupert Merton is a potter based in South West London. Having studied pottery at school, Rupert did an apprenticeship at the Tingewick Pottery in Buckinghamshire, before his degree in History of Art from Cambridge. He then embarked on a 12 year career in the music industry as an independent music publisher and manager, working with musicians such as The Thompson Twins and Underworld, before happily returning to his roots and passion - sculpting in clay and making pots.
He is now a full-time potter working mainly in stoneware and porcelain fired in an electric kiln. Working on the wheel and then altering shapes after throwing, his work occupies ‘a space in my mind somewhere between painting and music – they explore rhythm, repetition and colour.’
In this latest series of wall installations called his Pothecaries, Rupert explores ‘the infinite possibilities of bottle forms. Each bottle is unique yet they all share a basic form. I arrange them in patterns and rhythms which produce the aesthetic effect I am looking for.’
‘Nearly all our knowledge of prehistoric civilizations comes from the indestructible nature of pottery remains. If people still exist in 2000 years time I love the idea they may come across fragments of my work and wonder what on earth it was about. No other art or craft is likely to survive to tell such a story.’
Rupert Merton is currently showing a collection of his Pots, Pothecarys and Teashells at the Pots & Printmakers exhibition at Lorfords, 9 Langton St, SW10 until Friday 27th April.