Joe Finch

Joe Finch started his pottery career in 1964 with a four-year apprenticeship training under his father, Ray Finch, at Winchcombe Pottery. In 1968 he travelled to Africa where he was sponsored to establish Kolonyama Pottery, Lesothos first studio pottery. Within 18 months, with the help of his wife Trudi, a large oil fired kiln was built and blunger, filter-press, wheels, etc. installed. Clays and glazes were tested, six local staff trained and three major exhibitions held. On their return, Joe and Trudi worked again at Winchcombe until 1973 when they moved to Appin in North West Scotland to set up their own pottery. 

The proximity of a sawmill persuaded Joe to use wood as a fuel. His love and fascination of wood firing continues and is now characteristic of his work. In 1980 he was invited to co-manage the Dartington Pottery Training Workshop for six months. They moved to Wales in 1984, living first in Powys and then in 1990 on to West Wales. Here, in a workshop converted from a stone barn, Joe first made earthenware using an electric kiln. However, having secured a supply of wood, he returned to producing stoneware in a redesigned large wood-fired kiln. He is also known as a kiln builder and has built kilns for many other potters in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. He recently built a second kiln for himself which is a wood-fired catenary-arch which he uses for soda glaze. 

Over the years he has demonstrated throwing and kiln building at many colleges and pottery events throughout the UK and overseas. His book Kiln Construction was published by A & C Black in 2006.