Tony Howard
Tony Howard
Based in
London, United Kingdom
Seniority
5 - 10 years experience
About

Hand-Made Ornamentalism.

The realisation of imagined designs through the manual manipulation of pliable materials is the physical manifestation of our perceptual editing of the worlds we inhabit, both actual and fictional. Such a solidification of personality is a satisfying exercise in self expl

...

oration for the artists, and a rare and privileged insight into the working of the mind of another for the viewer.

Deeper than the desire for self-expression or a more intimate form of visual communication however, the act of hand-making could be perceived as an end in of itself that needs no audience. Working with nothing but the simplest tools seems to trigger a primal, hard-wired impulse to create with whatever material seems most appropriate. With the logic of the design learnt by heart, in an almost trance like state the hand is joined to the subconscious and a form takes shape, as if by sheer force of will. Successfully fulfilling this urge is often very satisfying for the maker, eliciting an unsurpassed sense of achievement. From experience, creative talent would seem to depend upon the ease of access an individual has learnt to acquire to this deeper stratum of consciousness, a skill acquired through time and practice rather than the knowledge so prised by the information age.

But what of the viewer? In addition to the narrative the artist set out to express through their work, seeing and touching a handmade artefact, with all its human quirks and imperfections, provides us with a proxy link to a common human history from which modern urban lifestyles are making us increasingly estranged. Handmade ceramics, with its intimate association with fire and earth, and stone, with its age old associations add an extra dimension to any narrative, and against the backdrop of the digital revolution we are living through are more relevant now than ever.

The hand-made ceramic and stone artefacts that result from this philosophy are inspired by a combined love of nature and history and a fascination for the built environment. This results in a contradictory and often dramatic collision of form and structure that is sometimes disturbingly biological, yet always fundamentally ornamental due to its regular symmetry and complex repeat patterns. Biomorphism springs unforced from this amalgamation of life long interests and taps into the corresponding contemporary trend towards Bio-mimicry in design.

I hope you enjoy my work.

Read more
MA Design (Ceramics)
Central St Martins (UAL) Oct. 1, 2015 - Jul. 1, 2017

The MA Design course focused on individual design practice and, through making and immersion in material processes, aimed to broaden career and research horizons. The Masters project was a vehicle for the development of creative abilities and analytical skills, alongside engagement in the fields of

...

emergent design discourse, global markets and the investigation of technologies.

Read more
See 1 more achievement
Unique Sculptural Work
Home Studio Jul. 1, 1996 - Jul. 1, 2017

A large number of 3D/sculptural projects, related to qualifications studied, classroom practice and personal artistic assignments. A variety of different materials experiments with, including paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, plaster, stone and ceramic.

Art & Design Lecturer
Sir George Monoux College (Walthamstow) Aug. 1, 2008 - Jul. 1, 2015

Teacher of Art & Design, specialising in 3D art, craft, design & ceramics.
BTEC course co-ordinator, Levels 2&3, 16-18:
Planning, delivery and assessment of l2 foundation A&D, L3 Certificate A&D Yrs 1&2 and L3 Extended Diploma A&D Yrs 1&2. Taught elements of A level A&D.
Personal tutor, levels 2

...

&3.

Read more
See 1 more achievement
Art & Design Lecturer
Hugh Baird College (Merseyside) Apr. 1, 2003 - Aug. 1, 2008

Teacher of Art & Design, specialising in 3D art, craft, design & ceramics.
BTEC course co-ordinator, Levels 2&3, 16-18:
Planning, delivery and assessment of l2 foundation A&D, and L3 Extended Diploma A&D Yrs 1&2.
Personal tutor, levels 2&3.

...

Read more
General Teaching Supply Work, specialising in Art & Design
Various Schools in Liverpool/Merseyside Sep. 1, 2002 - Apr. 1, 2003

Short term temporary teaching assignments in a variety of disciplines at a number of different secondary schools.

See 1 more achievement
PGCE Art & Design
Liverpool John Moores University Sep. 1, 2001 - Jun. 1, 2002

Placements in Bluecoat School for boys (Wavertree - Liverpool) and New Hays Community Comprehensive (Allerton - Liverpool) gave a broad and varied introduction to secondary art education.

Administration/Customer Service
Royal & Sun Alliance (Insurance) Mar. 1, 1998 - Sep. 1, 2001

Full time permanent employment within the telephone enquiry unit.

See 1 more achievement
Administration/Customer service
Various Temporary - Liverpool Jun. 1, 1996 - Feb. 1, 1998

Telesales, Market research, Office Junior etc.

College Certificate in Computing
City College Norwich Sep. 1, 1995 - Apr. 1, 1996

A basic early introduction to popular commercial software packages such as Word, Excell and Access, as well as computer architecture, programming and management structures.

See 1 more achievement
BA (Hons) Humanities (2:1)
Northampton University Sep. 1, 1992 - Jun. 1, 1995

A combined studies degree incorporating a Major in Art & Design, a Minor in World History and a Complimentary in American Studies. The art component involved a personal expansion into 3D sculpture and the exploration of more abstract forms of expression. Both verbal & written analytical skills were

...

greatly enhanced through a broad reading of Art History, American literature and more specific aspects of European, American and world history.
Organisation and time management skills were greatly enhanced through the demands of the variety of topics and outcomes.

Read more
A Level Art, English Literature & History
Eaton City Of Norwich School Sep. 1, 1990 - Jul. 1, 1992

Art (B),
English Literature (C),
History (D).

See 1 more achievement
GCSEs x9 - A-C
Hethersett High School, Norfolk Sep. 1, 1985 - Jul. 1, 1990

Art & Design (A),
Science - Double (A,A),
English language (B),
Design Tech (B),
Maths (B),
French (B),
English Literature (C),
History (C).

Languages

French

Basic knowledge

English

Native language