Albert Montserrat

Born in Spain, Albert is currently based in North Yorkshire.

He graduated in Product Design in Barcelona and started studying as a Ceramicist  at Massana, Barcelona and Escola de Ceràmica de la Bisbal, Girona.

In 2007 he set up his first studio as a partnership in Barcelona before moving the studio to Mexico where he prepared his own clays and glazes as well as improved his gas firing techniques. In 2013 he set up a studio in the UK, mainly throwing vases on the potter's wheel with a special interest in large work and in the research and development of oriental glazes.

Albert works with porcelain fired to 1300ºC. He uses porcelain for Its strength, finish, fluidity and whiteness as well as its connotations of quality.

Clear and classic pots are thrown on the wheel with no decoration apart from his glazes which give them the strength and personality he is looking for.

Albert is interested in Oriental Glazes and more specifically in the "Oil Spot" type of glazes. He is constantly searching for new finishes and colours. These "Oil Spot Glazes" are very challenging and extraordinary beautiful, a type of "Tenmoku" glaze originally developed in China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). "Yuteki" or "Oil Spot", is an effect that occurs when there is an overload of iron oxide which is allowed to heat up slowly and forms effulgent spots on the surface.

Group Exhibitions:

2017 "The Dark Side of the Moon", Hexagon Classic Design, London, UK
2017 "Porcelain Perfection", Bils & Rye, Kirkbymoorside, UK
2017  Art in Clay, Hatfield, UK
2017  "A Whiter Shade of Pale", Hexagon Classic Design, London, UK
2017  The Round House Gallery, Derbyshire, UK
2017  Miar Arts, Brighton, UK
2017  Cut The Mustard Gallery, Langholm, Scotland
2017  Potfest in the Park, Cumbria, UK
2017  Pots & Plants, Powys, Wales
2016  Cambridge Art Fair with Bils & Rye Gallery, Cambridge, UK
2016  Ceramics in the City, London, UK
2016  Bath Contemporary , Bath, UK
2016  Sculpt Gallery "Summer Exhibition 2016", Colchester, UK2016  Art in Clay, Hatfield, UK
2016  Bentalls Kingston "Meet the Artisans", London, UK
2015  Harrogate International Visual Arts Expo 2015 with Bils & Rye Gallery, Harrogate, UK
2015  Sculpt Gallery "The Art of Firing", Colchester, UK
2015  The Loughborough Hotel Gallery, London, UK
2015  Morley Gallery, London, UK
2015  Ceramics in the City, London, UK
2015  Art in Clay, Hatfield, UK
2015  RBSA Gallery 'Prize Exhibition', Birmingham, UK
2015  RBSA Gallery, Birmingham, UK
2015  Erwood Station Gallery, Powys, Wales
2014  Mall Galleries, London, UK 
2014  Morley Gallery, London, UK
2014  Royal West of England Academy, Bristol, UK
2014  Landmark Arts Centre, Teddington, Middlesex, UK
2014  Riverside Gallery, Richmond, London, UK
2014  The Spring Gallery, Hampshire, UK
2013  National Funeral Exhibition 2013, Stoneleigh, Birmingham, UK
2011  IDEFT Institute, Guadalajara, Mexico
2010  México Nacional Ceramic Competition, Guadalajara, Mexico
2009  Bbrownie Coffee Gallery, Guadalajara, Mexico
2008  ADI-FAD, Barcelona, Spain
2008  Roques Blanques Cemetery, Barcelona, Spain
2007  Funermostra, València, Spain

Awards:

2018 First Prize at the 19th edition of the Ceramics Biennial "Angelina Alós" in Esplugues, Barcelona

2015 & 2014  London Potters Annual Exhibition First Prize "Best in Show"
2014  London Potters Annual Exhibition Visitor's Vote

Publications:

House & Garden, "Inspirational Interiors", July 2017, p. 149
Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser, March 2017
Photographic report "In the studio¨ by Ben Boswell, 2017
Ceramic Review, Issue 280, July/August 2016
Wladimir Vivas, "Panorama de Actualidad", Revista Internacional Ceramica, vol.114, 2009, p. 66
Wladimir Vivas, "Breves", Revista Internacional Ceramica, vol.112, 2009, p. 81

Commissions / Public Work:

2018 The Can Tinturé Museum, in Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona

2017 Public Collection, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Cumbria, UK
2013  Reliquaries, Marcs i Urnes Bach, Barcelona, Spain
2010  Trophies, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Mexico
2008  Public Sculpture in Government Building, Josep Carreté Arquitectura, Tarragona, Spain