Walter Keeler (studio potter)

Walter Keeler (1942 – 2023) was a prominent British studio potter, best known for his salt-glazed functional stoneware. He was born in Hawkhurst, Kent, and studied at Maidstone College of Art from 1958 to 1963.

Keeler's work is characterized by its distinctive forms, often featuring asymmetrical spouts, handles, and feet. He was heavily influenced by historical precedents, including delftware, tin-glazed earthenware, and early industrial pottery, which he reinterpreted with a contemporary sensibility. He embraced the imperfections inherent in the salt-glazing process, allowing the firing to contribute to the final aesthetic of his pieces.

Keeler held teaching positions at various art schools, including Harrow College of Art and the Royal College of Art, where he was a professor of ceramics from 2000 to 2017. He was widely exhibited and his work is held in numerous public and private collections internationally, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. He was a leading figure in the British studio pottery movement and his work has had a significant influence on subsequent generations of ceramic artists. He died in 2023.