At the age of nine, under the watchful eye and guiding hands of Tessa Oates, I threw my first ever pot on the wheel at Chipstead Craft Studios near Sevenoaks. After exploring ceramic sculpture I returned to the potters’ wheel, making all types of work. I’ve experimented with just about every type of clay and used many different glazes and firings, however, my love of illustration brought me to underglazes and imagery. Most of my work is illustrated and uses sgraffito techniques. I hugely enjoy making custom work (commissions) where I get to work with my customers to create ceramic works of art, many of course with a canine theme.
Craft Potters Association
Simon Olley is a Selected Member the Craft Potters Association.
The aim of the Craft Potters Association (CPA) is to promote and encourage the creation of high quality ceramics. Selected membership is a highly regarded title within the studio ceramics industry and is awarded to makers whose work demonstrates a very high technical and aesthetic level of sophistication.
London Potters
Simon Olley is a member of London Potters.
London Potters is a voluntary organisation formed in 1986 to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences of all those involved with an interest in ceramics.
Galleries, Selected Shows & Exhibitions
2025
Potfest in the Park, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith, Cumbria, 25–27 July 2025
Cambridge Contemporary Art, 7–29 June 2025
CPA York Ceramics Fair, York Racecourse, 15–16 March 2025
2024
London Potters 33rd Annual Members Exhibition Morley Gallery 25 Nov – 9 Dec 2024
CPA Oxford Ceramics Fair, St Edwards School, 26–27 October 2024
Potfest in the Park, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith, Cumbria, 26–28 July 2024
Potfest by the Lake, Compton Verney, Warwickshire, 21–23 June 2024
London Craft Week, Secret Ceramics Bud Vase, at SoShiro, May 2024
Ceramic Art London (CAL), Kensington Olympia West, 19–21 April 2024
CPA York Ceramics Fair, York Racecourse, 9–10 March 2024
Craft Potters Association, Contemporary Ceramics Gallery, 1–24 February 2024
2023
Margate Turner Gallery Ceramics Fair 2023
London Potters 32nd Annual Members Exhibition Morley Gallery 2023
CPA Oxford Ceramics Fair 2023
FiredUp4 Studio Ceramics Auction 2023
Potfest in the Park – Penrith 2023
Celebrating Ceramics – Waterperry Gardens, Oxford 2023
Potfest by the Lake – Compton Verney 2023
Potfest South East – Glynde 2023
CPA York Ceramics Fair 2023
London Potters Showcase Barbican Library Exhibition Space 2023
2022
London Potters 31st Annual Members Exhibition Brixton 2022
CPA Oxford Ceramics Fair 2022
Potfest in the Park – Penrith 2022
Contemporary Craft Festival – Bovey Tracey 2022
The Dog Show Exhibition – Brighton 2022
Potfest South East – Glynde 2022
2021 and earlier
CPA Oxford Ceramics Fair 2021 (Associate’s Stand)
Cup: The Intimate Object XVII Charlie Cummings Gallery, Florida 2021
Twenty Twenty Gallery Shropshire 2018
London Potters 30th Annual Members Exhibition Morley Gallery 2017
The Elements: Artichoke Gallery Ticehurst 2017
Awards
London Potters 33rd Annual Members Exhibition Morley Gallery 2024:
Judges Commendation
London Potters 32nd Annual Members Exhibition Morley Gallery 2023:
Judges Commendation
London Potters 31st Annual Members Exhibition Brixton 2022:
Best Functional Exhibit Award
Contemporary Craft Festival Bovey Tracey 2022:
Best Stand in Show Award
Potfest Glynde 2022: Organisers’ Award
Potfest Glynde 2022: Visitors’ Award
London Potters 30th Annual Members Exhibition Morley Gallery 2017:
Best Decorated Work Award
Talks & Demonstrations
“Scratching Dogs, Taming Commissions”
CPA Oxford Ceramics Fair 2023
Publications
Ceramic Review, Issue 324 Nov/Dec 2023: Potters on Pots
London Potters News, Issue 203 Jun/Jul 2021: Meet the Maker