Ed Oldfield

I love exploring tidal zones looking for marine life, images, shapes, and patterns I can use in my work.

Ed Oldfield works hard and enjoys a good challenge. For the last twenty-seven years, that challenge has been Raku pottery. Raku pottery is created with a multi-stage process which results in amazing colours, texture and shine not seen in other types of pottery. It is not possible to predictably get the same results twice so each firing is an exciting “find” when it’s all done. This also makes each piece truly one-of-a-kind.

At an art teachers’ conference in 1989, I saw an amazing Raku pot created by Wayne Ngan of Hornby Island which impressed me with its impeccable surface glaze. I set about trying to learn everything I could about Raku, and twenty-seven years later I have a basic understanding of the Raku process.

From his Powell River studio, Ed has developed a unique style and subject matter for his Raku pottery. He is known for his sculptural fish, his barnacle lamps and vases, and his colourful sea stars. 

I try to learn something new every day. My family is my everything.