Images available here.
Opening at Watts Contemporary Gallery on 16 April, Fired Legacies: The Ceramic World of Rich Milleris the first solo exhibition of work by the leading ceramic artist – who is also well-known as a judge on Channel 4’s Great Pottery Throw Down.
Presenting more than 100 works all made for this exhibition, Fired Legacies delves into Rich’s own mixed-race heritage and explores British colonial history, examining the complexities of migration and lasting cultural influences that have, for many years, inspired the artist’s practice.
From crowns to lampposts, piggybanks to rum bottles, Rich Miller takes familiar objects and symbols and, whilst respecting their beauty, considers other resonances: the crown and its links with empire, the lamppost and the recent ‘Raise the Colours’ campaign. His work asks questions that are intended to spark conversations around these issues, while promising no answers.
A graduate of Surrey Institute of Art and Design (now UCA), Rich Miller spent 20 years of his career at the helm of Froyle Tiles, a bespoke Surrey-based stoneware tile company and primary collaborator for world-class architects on projects including the Tate St Ives Pavilion (with Jamie Fobert Architects) and, with architects ZMMA, the restoration of Watts Gallery.
Parallel to his industrial expertise, Rich has always maintained a rigorous studio practice, and it is this duality of roles, as both a master technician and a conceptual ceramicist, that led to his appointment initially as a technical consultant on The Great Pottery Throw Down and subsequently a judge.
This is reflected in the exhibition where, alongside his conceptual work, Rich Miller will present a new range of colour-glazed homewares.
Rich Miller said:
“Much of my work explores British colonial history and my place in it. I have a real fascination with social history and the way we interact with objects, and the hierarchical structures that exist. All of the individual pieces I make ask the questions that I’ve always been thinking myself, such as how was British society formed, how was the wealth created and why am I, as a mixed-race person, here in Britain?”
“I’m delighted to be presenting this work at Watts Gallery, a place I’ve known for years. As a student in Farnham, we visited Watts Chapel and the Gallery, and when Watts Gallery was restored in 2010 Froyle Tiles was commissioned to create tiles for several spaces.”
Madeline Henderson, Co-CEO (interim) Watts Gallery, said:
“Ceramics have always been and continue to be at the heart of Watts Gallery, from Mary Watts’s Chapel and the Pottery she created here in Compton, to exhibitions of work by leading contemporary ceramic artists including Rich Miller. Reflecting this, we are honoured that Dame Magdalene Odundo DBE, recognised as one of the world’s most esteemed ceramic artists, is our President.”
“Like Rich Miller, Mary Watts had more than one strand to her practice, and enabling others to learn and develop pottery skills was key to this. Today we continue to provide opportunities for people to learn and develop their pottery practice here at Watts Gallery, and through our Art for All community programme, we work hard to make sure that everyone can access this.”
“All profits from Watts Contemporary Gallery exhibitions support the Art for All learning programme, and we are delighted to be bringing Rich Miller’s incredible work to Compton.”
A special event bringing together Rich Miller and Magdalene Odundo, two leading figures in contemporary ceramics, who will discuss their practice, process and cultural stories embedded in clay.
Fired Legacies: The Ceramic World of Rich Miller opens at Watts Contemporary Gallery on 16 April (until 28 June 2026). All work is for sale, with profits directly supporting Watts Gallery Trust’s Art for All community learning programme.
Tamsin Williams – tamsin@tamsin-williams.com – 07939 651252
Watts Contemporary Gallery
Watts Contemporary Gallery showcases a wide range of contemporary artists making painting, prints, ceramics, sculpture and craft. All works are for sale and help support Watts Gallery Trust’s Art for All programme.
The dynamic, curated exhibitions support local, new and emerging artists and craftspeople along with established artists of national and international merit. All artists invited to exhibit resonate with the heritage of Watts Gallery’s unique Arts & Crafts site, and often reflect the approach of George and Mary Watts, who pushed the boundaries of fine art, craft and design.
Previous featured artists include: Norman Ackroyd RA, Angie Lewin, Alexander Creswell, Anita Klein RE, and prominent Surrey artists including Celia Lewis, Diana Croft, Yeside Linney, Grace Ellen and Jennifer Jokhoo.