Ian Dowling

Ian Dowling began working with clay in the 1970s. He worked as a teacher in the Pilbara and in Geraldton, while keeping a strong interest in a variety of clay working techniques, from oil and wood fired stoneware to raku and salt glaze.

He began making pots full time in 1977, first with Joan Campbell in her Fremantle workshop and later establishing the Greenough River Pottery. Strong, useful pots were made and fired using raw materials hand collected from local sources.

Ian and his family moved south to Margaret River in 1982, building new workshops and a gallery and establishing Margaret River Pottery, which was part of The Old Settlement.

After many years working in an open studio environment, the possibilities of developing more individual work drew Ian to move to a private studio space alongside his home in the forest. Large scale public art, smaller sculptural pieces and functional stoneware all have a place in this studio. Academic study and skills development in new processes have led to private and public commissions for his work.

Ian continues to exhibit in group and solo exhibitions between public art projects.