About the craftsman:
Mohamed Hamid: Completed a BA Hons degree in Ceramics
in 1983 at Farnham art college, West Surrey. He was then fortunate
to train with Alan Caiger-Smith and Edgar Campden at the Aldermaston
pottery from 1983-1986. These were his formative years. From there he
moved to Sussex to work with Jonathan Chiswell-Jones for three years.
In 1989 he set up his own workshop in Lewes, East Sussex with a Crafts
Council Grant.
Artistic influences:
Being of African descent, Mohamed is inspired by the warmth
and vibrancy of that continent, the colours, the light, the exuberance!
It is these characteristics that also attract him to Mediterranean culture.
As a Moslem, he draws strongly on Islamic art. He says of his work:
" The effect is not purely a visual thing it has to do with cosmology and spiritualism".
From cooler climes, Dutch Delftware also impresses him with its economy
and restraint. As a self employed artist, he works hard and has achieved
success and interest nationally for his precise brushstroke lettering
and the lively spontaneity of his decoration and willingness to
adapt to even the most unusual requests from customers.
As well as teaching very popular classes he travels throughout Britain to exhibit his work
at craft fairs and exhibitions.
