Jean-Nicolas Gérard: “The Potter’s Potter” film about French slipware potter

This documentary follows French slipware potter Jean-Nicolas Gérard as he prepares for his 2013 exhibition at the Goldmark Gallery.

Jean-Nicolas describes himself as an artisan craftsman who, above all, wants his pottery to be used and enjoyed. His work ranges from small mugs, bowls, plates and dishes to large jars and press moulded platters. All are decorated with slip and many with sgraffito and finger marks. He takes the tradition of European slipware and infuses it with elements from modern painting, medieval earthenware and Japanese pottery. In the film we watch him throwing, glazing and decorating and explore the influences that nature and his surrounding landscape have on his pottery.

View Gérard's work for sale at the Goldmark Gallery here:

To buy this DVD for your collection visit:

Biography – Jean-Nicolas Gérard was born in Brazzaville (Congo) in 1954 and returned to France in 1961. He started studying ceramics in 1978 and was Jean Biagini's student at École des Beaux-Arts in Aix-en-Provence. He also trained with Claire Bogino. Often labelled the potters' potter Gerard's work has a spontaneity that so many strive for.

Gérard's work has now gained international acclaim and he has exhibited all over the world, including America, Australia, China and Japan. He is one of those rare potters who brings genuine life and gusto to contemporary slipware, investing the tradition of terre vernissée with a fresh and expressive energy unlike any other.

What is Goldmark?

A family business started by Mike Goldmark, we've been selling art from the Goldmark Gallery in Uppingham, UK for over 40 years and hold over 50,000 items in stock. Explore a wide range of the very best art and ceramics available to you through our website where you'll also find scholarship pages, books, online catalogues and even GoldmarkTV! Enjoy your visit here:

25 thoughts on “Jean-Nicolas Gérard: “The Potter’s Potter” film about French slipware potter”

  1. Jean Christophe Tomaszewski

    Excellent film. Artiste magnifique et un grand céramiste .

  2. dominique duverneuil

    merci pour ce film, quel talent! bonne continuation Monsieur Jean Nicolas Gérard!!!

  3. Red Fox Pottery

    I think I’m in love with the spontaneity and the way he works.

  4. Steve B.

    Fantastic profile.
    There are 1,000 potters who work like this and every one of them has a unique final product.

  5. Adam Field

    Brilliantly made documentary as always Alex and Jay!  Beautiful work and process Jean-Nicolas, looking forward to working with you in Montana next month!

  6. denis etienne

    Il est vraiment très agréable de voir votre travail qui tire beaucoup de l’art japonnais .Dans quel région de France vous êtes ?
    Bonne continuation
    Nicole 

    1. sookyeong jung

      Mais non! Certes il avait travaillé au Japon mais, ses ceramiques est du style coréen traditional qui s’apelle ‘Onggi’

  7. Peter Palmer

    My pots,compared with your slipware, seem to be too pure, clinical, antiseptic.  I have said in an earlier comment that I admire the work you have done in slipware depicted in this film.  I could lose myself in just being in your pottery and seeing your stuff coming out of the kiln.  I have been making pottery myself for many decades but not as a living fortunately.  I will keep an eye on your other films.  Bon chance and take care ca va Peter Pots, Wellington New Zealand.

    1. truebluekit

      +Peter Palmer Do not beat yourself over it. There is nothing wrong with pots which seem pure, or even clinical. His approach here is his very own, and he somehow has managed to make his intentionally crude design work with his environment. To me, his works carries a sense of rustic character that is perfectly at home with the French country side.

      Personally, I disagree with his statement that technique is not important. Looking at the works of other potters, I can see that technique is really important, but it really depends on what you’re trying to achieve.

      So if your design is clinical, perhaps, subconciously, you really are trying to achieve something else completely. I might be wrong, of course, please excuse my ramblings. Have a nice day 🙂

  8. Linda Ballard

    Beautiful in every way. Thank you for making this documentary. Magnificent.

  9. Nancy Patancy

    So interesting and relaxing. I could watch stuff like this all day long. Thank you.

  10. Новосельцева Галина

    Очень душевный, слегка первобытный стиль. Симпатичный мастер). Красивые места, похожие на мой родной Крым.

  11. Heksedans D.

    I love this❤ Art is not perfection,-art is soul!

  12. Lydia Rowe

    Love your pots and attitude to life..
    Beautiful location in Provence..
    Thanks for sharing..😊

  13. Ruth KRAUSKOPF

    wonderful, it is a long time since I had been so fascinated by someone´s pots!

  14. veronica kent

    his process and work makes me so happy. energises me to get into my studio.

  15. Phillip Schmidt

    Please do an updated video of him! This is the best pottery video!

  16. Nay Myo

    He’s a true artist, Picasso of slipware pottery. Brilliant!

  17. Judith Farley

    Absolutely love your work. 💞😇 Thank you for sharing 😇

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