Rory Shearer (67) and Helen Shearer (65) from Ballymena run Studio Potter together.
After graduating from Art College Rory worked as a studio assistant with Forge Pottery Antrim.
What genre / style do you create in?
Ceramics
What would you be best known for?
High-fired decorative stoneware ceramics.
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
Former Chair of Craft NI.
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
Remain positive and stay resilient.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Working through this Covid Pandemic.
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?
Married, four children, and two grandchildren. Hobbies cinema and photography.
Tell us about your most recent work?
Recently completed a commission to supply a new restaurant in Belfast with their plates/dishes/cups etc., the restaurant is Stove Bistro owned by Simon McCance and Simon Toye.
What would you like us to tell people about?
That high-quality ceramics is being designed and made in Co. Antrim.
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
Stoneware and Porcelain ceramics with an Eastern aesthetic. Check out my website Rory H Shearer Ceramics.
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
Stick with it, put in the hours and be patient.
Anything else you want to tell people about yourself or your work?
We are a small family-run studio with quality at the heart of everything we do.
Who do you look up to and why?
Phil Rogers and Lisa Hammond – masters of their craft.
You can find out more about Rory And Helen Shearer Ceramics on Facebook and Instagram!