Born in 1962, Pierre Willams’ love of art was founded at a very a young age. Despite this, a career in the arts did not become apparent for some time. Following an apprenticeship as a tool maker and a career in engineering, Pierre finally found to courage to follow his passion for ceramics and sculpture. Having spent his working life enjoying to paint and sculpt as self taught hobbies, he then had the fortune to meet someone who was studying at Art College. This inspired him to follow suit, leading to his enrolment on a foundation program in Hereford, specialising in ceramics. From there, Pierre went on to study for his undergraduate degree at The University of Wales, after which he returned to Hereford to set up a studio.
Pierre eventually returned to the Hereford College of Arts where he strengthened and refined his understanding of ceramics, as leader of the department. Another period of personal and professional growth ensued, following three years teaching Ceramics Foundation, Art & Design at The Royal National College for the Blind, something he describes as “an incredibly rewarding job”.
Having refined his unique style and process, Pierre’s awarding winning work has been exhibited and represented throughout multiple countries including the United States of America, Australia and Holland.
Of his whimsical, characterful work, Pierre says “The figures have been developed by looking back in time to classical sculpture[s]. I like to play with how the human body… [interacts] with different forms in every day poses or performing contemporary functions. The complex surface decoration, which may require up to five firings, has been developing over the last five years by looking at contemporary painters, ceramic, and textile surface patterns”.
