Dennis was born in Liverpool in 1949 and attended The Polytechnic Wolverhampton (now Wolverhampton University), to study Ceramics in 1968 graduating in 1971. Dennis won a Crafts Council award to become `Artist in Residence' (1978/80), at Swarthmore Education College, Leeds, and has been involved in ceramics education for over forty years teaching at; St Helens College of Art, Lancs (Foundation in Art & Design), Harrogate College of Arts and Technology (Studio Ceramics Course), University of Wolverhampton BA Ceramics, (Course Leader 1995/2000), he was appointed Divisional Leader in 2001 and Associate Dean of School in 2005.
Dennis lives and works near Much Wenlock in Shropshire, he exhibits nationally and internationally and has work in many private and public collections including: Arthur Anderson Collection of Contemporary Art. Glasgow City Art Gallery. Hanley Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke on Trent. Huddersfield Art Gallery. Leeds City Art Gallery, Lotherton Hall. Dennis offers courses at his studio which are designed for complete beginner or the more experienced maker, for details see courses/accommodation.
"The passage of time and change has always been central to the themes that I have explored in my work. The process of archaeology and its concerns with time and layers has also greatly influenced the way in which I express my ideas and has provided a context for the development of sculptural forms with a time worn quality.
My most recent work continues to react to qualities of fragmentation and erosion observed in land and coastal environments.
The shapes of small boats are of particular interest with their sea-washed and weather worn surfaces stranded by the receding tides. Pieces of driftwood, bleached, sculpted and eroded by the constant washing of waves are sometimes incorporated into wall panels. Other works explore the evocative forms and atmospheres observed in the landscape.
Forms are produced by wheel-thrown and hand-built techniques using red earthenware blended with stoneware crank or black clays. Surfaces are developed by applying coloured engobes and drawing with underglaze pens which are over-painted with matt and glost transparent glazes and fired to 1120 degrees centigrade."
