Tony Smither

Bio
Tony first experienced ceramics at teacher training college, and this quickly developed into an obsession. After graduating he decided that he had no vocation for teaching and, together with Doreen Gardner, started Orchard Pottery in 1980. Doreen died in 2018. For some years Tony has been developing his stylised sculptural birds and animals. The early pieces were smooth with a matt glaze, but in recent years there has been more use of texture in the work. All the pieces are sculpted in clay either by coiling, using a combination of press-moulding and coiling, or by slip casting. Until recently all the work was in stoneware but some pieces are now also made in cold-cast bronze resin. All pieces are completely Frostproof and are suitable for the garden.