We are delighted to welcome Johnny Vegas to The Soden Collection, bringing a completely new and unexpected dimension to the gallery. Known across the UK for his work in television, comedy and storytelling, Johnny has quietly been building a reputation in a very different creative world: the world of handmade ceramics. His arrival at the gallery marks an exciting moment for us, and for collectors who follow contemporary craft and small-batch ceramics.
Johnny’s journey with clay actually started long before the public knew him as a performer. As a young man he trained in ceramics in the Potteries, developing a deep connection with the material long before his career on screen took flight. Many years later, he returned to the studio and rediscovered the calm, grounding and almost meditative nature of working with clay. It is this rediscovery that has shaped the unique, honest, and characterful work he creates today.
Each piece is hand-built in small batches, with every mark and surface telling the story of the making process. His ceramics are expressive, tactile, playful and sincere. Rather than hiding the fingerprints and textures, Johnny embraces them, allowing the clay to speak and the form to develop organically. This is what gives his work its unmistakable personality and charm.
Collectors across the country have responded to this authenticity. There is a growing appreciation for ceramics that hold both craftsmanship and individuality, and Johnny’s work offers exactly that. The pieces arriving at the gallery next week reflect this personal and creative journey: vessels, sculptural forms, and objects that celebrate imperfection, curiosity and the joy of making.
For us at The Soden Collection, welcoming Johnny Vegas is about more than bringing in a well-known name. It is about recognising a serious creative practice that stands firmly on its own. His time in the studio is not a side project; it is a genuine artistic pursuit shaped by experience, collaboration with skilled potters, and a deep connection to material.
As the new works arrive in the gallery, we look forward to sharing them with our visitors, our collectors and the wider Shrewsbury community. Whether you are an established collector of ceramics or discovering handmade craft for the first time, Johnny’s pieces offer something truly engaging.
We are excited to showcase this new body of work and to support Johnny as he continues to develop his practice. More images and updates will follow as the collection settles into the gallery next week.
If you'd like to be notified when works become available, please get in touch or join our mailing list.
