UCLAN Graduate Scoops Up Pottery Win

Dec, 24 2015

~Preston was the birth place of Aardman animations creator Nick Park. He made a name for himself as an adult with comic characters Wallace and Gromit in the 1990’s and recently helped to create the spin off film Shaun the Sheep.

Now a new emerging moulder has been announced. Perhaps in a different  mould to Nick. Ceramics graduate Matthew Wilcock  is making waves having just won BBC Two programme ‘The Great Pottery Throwdown’.

The name speaks for itself really. You either sink or swim. Some may have had more experience than others. Some like Matthew were fortunate to having recently completed a ceramics course in 2013 and his dad is the head ceramic technician at UCLAN.

It’s fantastic that once again, Preston and the North West in general is introducing talented artists to the mainstream and giving them a route to channel and showcase their unique skills.

Matthew, at just 24 and the youngest potter to appear on the programme speaks of his triumph and appreciation of his parents,

“Words can’t describe it really, amazing, and I want to thank my mother and father for introducing me to clay”.

Father Geoff was no doubt thrilled that he’d passed on some of his craft to his son. He speaks of both his and his wife’s reaction to the news and the belief they held for him right from day one,

“When Matthew won the Great Pottery Throwdown, his mum and I were both emotional and quite speechless.

“To say we were proud is an understatement. We were proud that he had progressed through every challenge with commitment and confidence.”

The challenges were tough and one week included creating three high shouldered jugs. Matthew however rose to the challenge and was moderated by judges Keith Bymer Jones and Kate Malone.

Keith expressed the core skills Matthew performed throughout the competition and what it means to be a pro at something,

“What Matthew did to win this contest is that he married design with technical ability and a real knowledge with a sense and a love of ceramics. Really and truly he has got a soul for it.”

Despite his glowing accolades both from his mum and dad, judges and fellow contestants, he hasn’t let the glory go to his head. Allowing himself to be humble and taking pride of his heritage he currently exhibits work with his Dad at UCLAN.

Matthew concludes with these comical yet kind words,

“If I could break up the winning trophy into 10 shards to share with the other potters I would – but it would be a shame to ruin a good pot!”

The CCGUK wishes him all the best wherever his ceramic endeavours take him next.