Svend Bayer: "Potter" short film about his life and work

Goldmark's 20 minute documentary showing Svend Bayer throwing, glazing and firing his Anagama kiln. He discusses his working methods and the importance of wood firing to his work.
'He is more than just a potter, he is a force of nature' - Michael Cardew.
View work by Svend Bayer: bit.ly/11K6sKj
To buy this film on DVD click here: bit.ly/19nXD1f
Biography - Born in Uganda in 1946 to Danish parents, Svend Bayer spent his childhood in Tanganyika. It was during his time at university that Bayer discovered pottery, and a gift from his girlfriend of Bernard Leach's A Potters Book introduced him to the pots of Michael Cardew. On leaving university Bayer wrote to Cardew, and after being invited for an interview, was taken on.
Bayer took inspiration from the village potteries in Southeast Asia, streamlining their practices and using his focus and determination to produce pots at high speed to fill his huge kiln. His work is held in major collections worldwide. He has received the John Ruskin award, held workshops all over the world and had residencies in America & Australia.
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 www.goldmarkart... where you'll also find scholarship pages, books, online catalogues and even GoldmarkTV! Enjoy your visit here: bit.ly/18ZF7Lv

[@kimweber1662]

I am addicted to watching potters share their feelings on the multiple stages of their growth. Svend is quiet and reflective and perfect in his sad happiness. He has put in the time to understand that you can never understand it all ~ what a beatuiful thing. Compelling in his quiet way.

[@LenaAriceLucasArt]

When in my 20s, several decades ago, I was driving my rental car randomly through Great Britain (having left Brit Rail {trains} for a bit) and just happened to come upon this amazing potter, Svend Bayer. I had been teaching pottery and clay sculpture for several years, and hoped I'd be able to visit some potters on my trip, but made no effort to find out where they may be. Svend showed me all around his studio and we visited for some time. He was a generous spirit. The potter I had hoped to meet was John Leech, and I miraculously did, but that's another story... Later, upon returning to Tennessee, I found out Svend is quite famous, and was even then. Meeting Svend was just another part of the magical solo journey I made to England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

[@matthewjackson9615]

Svend ought to be thankful that no one showed him exactly what to do to get started in pottery. IMHO, it's the process of self-discovery along the realization that you have to do everything yourself that establishes your self-confidence and draws out the "artist" in you by forcing you to develop your own style.

[@kickingthemud]

I'm 43 year old man. I started trowing as a teenager up to 20 years old. I then started a family and lost the clay for over 20 years. My son is grown and becoming very successful. A couple years back I finally could buy a house in the country and started throwing again big pots have become my passion. Mr. Bayers words parallel my thoughts in many ways. Please pass this on to him as I hope he finds inspiration in my words as I have found in this video.

[@Goldmarkart]

Thank you for your kind words Chris. We enjoyed making it. Bayer is one of our favourite potters.

[@sigridtsui1301]

2nd time watching this film. Love Svend's pots, he is a genius and very generous! I am using his mug daily since the day came back to HK in Jan. Simple form but beautiful, very practical, really nice to hold with and most importantly is the mug reflects and reminds me of his wonderful character. Had a really nice chat with Svend and his son, enjoyed to bits and thanks for his sharing and enlightment (not just pottery) as well. It was a real gorgeous afternoon although short!

[@jonfisher9214]

After 20+ years as a pottery tutor Svends pots are still some of my favourites. I have a small casserole he made that just fits in my test kiln. Perfect for cooking my lunch :)

[@davidmolloy1317]

Some beautifully thrown demo, and lots of excellent kiln and anthropology chat!

[@Goldmarkart]

Thank you for commenting

[@janecollette9504]

An amazing film about an amazing potter. I learned a lot, and it inspired me to learn more . Thank you sharing about your life's work.

[@mikeu5380]

Hello from Japan. I quite enjoyed this visit with Bayer-san. A great line of tradition: Hamada/Leach, and then Cardew. Thank you very much.

[@Arruda305]

A true great artist! You see what is passion! A different form to see the world!

[@disisdkat]

This made me quite sad and yet it was a pleasure to watch.

[@lindacopp8415]

Hi Svend good to see you have a new studio and are working again.

[@hojoinhisarcher]

Its nice to catch up with this potter late in his life

[@lucyjoy4468]

he so honest.

[@sofiaruffino9938]

breathtaking work

[@cyclingfreak56]

Beautiful pots but a definite dark sadness to the potter!

[@chrisfranz]

This is my favorite pottery video of all time!

[@greenness7387]

If I could have my life again, I would be like Svend, giving myself to the art form over and over. Instead I start now as an old potter, finding my way. I will not give up, I will be throwing and firing when I am in my '80's. Small pots perhaps.

[@Goldmarkart]

That's great to hear. Keep up the good work!

[@dianejarvis270]

Great film. Thank you.

[@JuniorSilva-cd4ms]

Excelente trabalho também

[@Goldmarkart]

Gracias.

[@skippersailor8272]

Nice work ! Looks like Korean big pot technique

[@johnsaikaly]

I have a recipe card catalog full of formulas for glazes would you like them? I would be glad to share it.

[@Goldmarkart]

We are about to have an exhibition of over 200 new pots by Svend Bayer this November 2012. To see work visit our website by clicking on the link in the comments box.

[@excessbastion]

soaring where even language gasps for air

[@johnDApotter]

I really enjoyed this and was very uplifted by his comments. I've been a bit sidetracked in the last 3 years away from throwing big pots (by making flower-shaped urinals and sinks, of all things), and watching this interview has helped me make up my mind which direction I want to go. Svend's comments don't seem negative to me, but come across as confirmation that most of his choices have been good ones. He's pretty philosophical about the downside to being a potter, and is very gracious about his status. He certainly deserves it. Good to see that he has been open to change, and still wants to explore. It was also nice to hear him talk about the "quiet pot"; The man who taught me had the same thoughts. Now…off to make a plan to change my life for the better...

[@shanemilehi]

Anyone know about his wheel?? How do you get such a big wheel and wheel head?? Looks so smooth and incredibly heavy

[@ninapesner3434]

It’s called a continental wheel in England. It is “home” made. The wheel that is kicked looks like cement. It can be any weight that the potter requires. The wheel head size is also made to the requirements of the potter.

[@samanthanicholson9015]

How is that kiln made?

[@BBugel]

Leider für eine Deutsche nicht wirklich gut zu verstehen, was ich sehr schade finde.... Ich muss wohl doch noch mehr englisch lernen.... ;-)

[@hiitsmehereagain]

Have you noticed all these potters have amazing land and houses ?!?!

[@ericwayman2359]

Yes this made me a little sad too. A somewhat totured soul. Divorced. A little semi-detached and striving for something that I'm not convinced that he knows himself what he is trying to do. Caustic glazes that are dry and uncomfortable and firings that make him feel like a whipped dog. Such negativity in the creative process I find really sad for him. I went to his pottery in the 1970's. I wanted to be him. I wanted a pottery like his. But there was no way I could afford a rural place like his.

[@markhousel2712]

I truly pray this isn't going to be a lost tradition. I just started at 43 throwing and love it. Want to Wood fire. Hope somehow somewhere I be able to learn.

[@Goldmarkart]

I hope so too!

[@TsetsiStoyanova]

Wow, I’ve learned so much!

[@rw8836]

They recycled stoking footage. at 9:33 he stokes that piece with the funny knob on the end then pushes it in with a skinnier piece. then they cut to footage of the inside of the kiln. They then replay the footage of the wood with the funny knob. I couldn't tell you how many times I've watched this and never noticed that before. lol

[@monkeyscee1]

I need a good celadon for electric cone ( I wish 6) but 8. Any you recommend ?

[@lisalovelylpa]

Why in the first minute of this video did I know it was going to be a special one !

[@garydyarman6483]

Your pots are wonderful........who can afford them?

[@thedauntingtasks4164]

a gift i shall never forget ever thanks