I’m Matthew Porter, a ceramicist, printmaker, and mixed media artist from Buncrana in Inishowen, County Donegal. My artistic journey began as a teenager studying Fine Art at the North West Regional College in Derry, where I discovered my deep-seated passion for working with clay.
Throughout my studies at the Crawford College of Art & Design in Cork, I delved deeper into the world of ceramics and glass, honing my craft and exploring the boundless possibilities of hand-building techniques. For me, the slow, intuitive process of hand-building allows for a profound connection with the clay, guiding each piece to its unique form.
Inspired by the rich heritage and ancient cultures of Inishowen, I infuse my creations with a sense of timeless fascination. Drawing from the intricate patterns of Neolithic pottery and the raw beauty of our local landscape, I seek to blur the lines between traditional and contemporary art forms in all my work.
One of my greatest joys is experimenting with Raku firing, a lesser-known technique that yields stunning, unpredictable results. The thrill of opening the kiln door to reveal the transformed pieces never fails to captivate me – each firing session an enchanting dance with the kiln gods!
