Mathias’ interest in ceramics started to take shape once he moved to the South West from his home city Hamburg in Germany. Opening a gallery selling mainly ceramics he gradually became more interested in processes and techniques. Visiting evening classes at the Plymouth College of Art (now Arts University Plymouth) opened up this whole new world to him, soon Mathias was hooked.

Mathias makes stoneware pieces mainly slab- or hand-built, sometimes thrown on the wheel, and glazed with abstract minimalistic but colourful decoration. Designs and shapes are influenced by early modernist and mid-century painters, sculptors and potters. To decorate the pots he uses masking tape and brush on glazes. Designs and colouration is usually made up as he goes along so every piece is a one-off.

He is in awe of the endless possibilities in what he can create from a wet lump of clay. Contrasting colours and straight lines are a recurring theme softened by the organic fluidity of high firing glazes. Functionality, shape and how the finished piece feels in your hands is most important to him. Precision and care but not perfection would sum up Mathias’ approach to making. Every pot shows the hand of the maker and he wouldn’t want it any other way.