Mick Shippen

“A beautifully illustrated reference book for potters and anyone with an interest in the anthropology and sociology of South-East Asia.” – The Collector

“This is not only a beautifully illustrated and useful reference source for potters but, a documentation of traditional craftsmanship and a way of life that looks set to disappear.” – Craftsman Magazine

“This is a poetic survey, lavishly illustrated, of the state of contemporary earthenware production across five countries on mainland Southeast Asia. The author is the guide in this book, and he records statements from the potters themselves about their art, and adds technical information about ceramics materials and processes.

This is not an academic book yet it has already been cited as source for trying to pinpoint the place of manufacture for a specific storage jar shape from 400-500 years ago and it will also be useful to researchers on prehistoric earthenware.

Shippen describes his book as “unashamedly a personal one”.  Besides his unconditional passion for pottery, his poignant vignettes are heartwarming and, at time, heartbreaking.  The well-written text is augmented by spectacular photographs taken by the author himself.  He captures pots being formed by a grandmother on a bare turning table, pots set outside woven bamboo huts to dry, amidst the intensive heat of firing, being loaded onto ox-drawn carts or river craft for market, and stacked by picturesque roadsides.  Other pots are shown in use in a backyard distillery, moss-covered but full of pure drinking water at village house front gates.  In the photographs one sees a timeless rural world that is quickly disappearing in the face of relentless development.  Traditional pottery is at the soul of that world and the author is a peerless guide.” – the late Dr. Roxanna M. Brown, former Director of Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum, Bangkok University

“I think you have done a really wonderful job – it is a very, very impressive book and the photographs are incredible. I even like the colour of the cover and of the text on the dust jacket!” – Coll Minogue, potter and publisher of the ceramics magazine The Log Book, UK

“I am a ceramics student in British Columbia, Canada, and have recently been given the opportunity to read your wonderful book, “The Traditional Ceramics of South East Asia”. What a treat! I am completely blown away by the photos and the sensitive writing, as well as the great detail in which you managed to describe the various making and firing processes. I myself lived and taught in Bangkok, as well as travelling throughout the region, for three years and your book brought me closer to the feeling of being there than I have felt in the five years since returning to Canada. As it was South East Asia that inspired me to craft, your book brings it full-circle. Thank you very much for this amazing book!” – Sarah Lawless, Nelson, BC, Canada

“Mick Shippen, with eyes wide open draws you instantly into a dialogue of observation on many levels. This book is as much about the people – potters (mostly women) who openly acknowledge that they are faced with the dilemma of the survival of their craft in the 21st century – as it is about those traditional pottery making and firing techniques which are so rapidly disappearing. The warmth and friendliness of the potters is ever-present, their willingness to invite Mick into their homes and workshops to record their craft is testimony to his passion to document their skills before they are lost forever.” – Robert Sanderson, The Log Book, UK

“ This book is wonderful.  Lesser mortals would have done the work to gain a PhD.  The whole feeling of the book is of love and care for the deep losses in this evolving world. The pics are excellent.  The way every object is contextualised succeeds beautifully.  Your writing style is delightful – easy, picturesque, evocative and quite devoid of academic pretension. I admire your work. You have added something truly important to human knowledge.” – Paul D Johnson, Australia  www.pauljohnsonsculpture.com

“ I just wanted to touch base with you and say thank you for writing such a wonderful ceramics book about SE Asia.  Your book was my inspiration to apply for an NCECA grant, that I received, to research pottery in Burma for a month.” – Alix Knipe, USA www.alixknipe.com