About

Hand Made and Decorated English tiles

Peter Barker and Philippa Hodkinson (née Russell) trained in Glass Making and Ceramics at Sunderland School of Art and upon qualifying with hons, set up Barker and Russell Ceramics in the Cluny Warehouse, a creative hub in the centre of Newcastle.
They specialized in decorated Earthernware and formed a loose group of like minded ceramic artists such as Julia Roxburgh and Bob Beaumont calling themselves New British Majolica, inspired by the collection of Minton artworks in the V&A London.
Later, Peter began working in the marble industry and lived for a decade in Italy. Philippa re-trained as a gardener forging a successful career managing, restoring and working in prestigious gardens in the North of England, while continuing her studio ceramics, and returned to her love of painting and drawing.

Our Story

The partnership was reformed with the challenge of creating a range of English hand made tiles. Philippa, followed her interest in the Revivalist Movement and created designs with echoes of the past, using majolica glazes with images framed as if by the lead one would find in medieval stained glass. The intent is to give a depth to the glossy surface and a glass like quality to the tiles.
Why Hand Made ?
like William Morris the pair believe there is an inherent quality in hand produced artifacts that imbues a soul within each piece. Each hand made and hand decorated tile imparts the personality of the maker.
Hand made works of art also lend themselves to limited edition, and an individuality which cannot be reproduced by machines.

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.

William MOrris

British Arts and Crafts movement