Robbie Williams has partnered with hometown ceramics factory 1882 Ltd. and The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery to stage an exhibition of his artworks in Stoke-on-Trent.
The singer superstar – who is currently touring Europe – collaborated with 1882 Ltd. to create technicolour artworks of Jesus and The Pope, which went on show at Frieze in London in October 2024.
The pieces have been brought to life by the masterful hands of 1882 Ltd.’s craftsmen based in Stoke-on-Trent: not only the historical epicentre of British pottery, but also Williams’ childhood hometown, which is celebrating 100 years of its city status in 2025.
Now four of his imaginative, dynamic and technicolour ceramic artworks are on display as part of the ‘100 Years, 60 Designers & 1 Future’ exhibition at The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in the city of his birth.
Robbie Williams says: “I have made some of my art out of clay with 1882 Ltd., and it looks amazing.
“The Pottery industry has given me and my people a sense of identity, a sense of pride. Clay built our city. And having it on display in the Fine Art Gallery at the Potteries Museum on the Centenary of our city make total sense”.
Creative Director, Co-Founder and Owner of 1882 Ltd, Emily Johnson adds: “This is a wonderful, life-enhancing and inspiring project.
“We are so proud that 1882 Ltd. has been given the opportunity to include Robbie’s artwork in this exhibition, which showcases world-class design in a way that is unique to the city.
“We have also curated 60 incredible artists and designers who have donated a piece of artwork – whether an illustration or drawing, painting, creative graphic – each of which will adorn a set of 60 simple rimmed, fine bone china plates made in Stoke-on-Trent.”
These 60 plates, signed by each artist and designer, now stand alongside Robbie’s work in the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery for the duration of the exhibition, which runs until 7 December 2025.
They will then be sold with proceeds going towards an apprentice scheme, and 15% to help fund a Saturday Club for Stoke-on-Trent school children to be given the opportunity to touch clay.
A limited-edition run of each plate, unsigned, will also be available to buy, with proceeds also going to the same causes.
Artists and designers include Robbie Williams, Barber & Osgerby, Zandra Rhodes, Hayden Kays, Maxim, Bruce McLean, along with many others.
Emily Johnson is a fifth generation of the famous Stoke-on-Trent Johnson Brothers family. And at the core of her company is progressive design and industrial craftsmanship.
“We produce a combination of essential objects and special pieces that highlight the centuries of industrial heritage craft skills and knowledge that reside in the heart of the British ceramics industry, Stoke-on-Trent,” she explains.
In the thirteen years since the company was formed, 1882 Ltd has worked ceaselessly to be true to its manifesto, collaborating with pioneering artists and designers such as Barnaby Barford, Max Lamb, Faye Toogood and John Pawson, producing works of art as well as tableware.
Her most recent collaboration has been with Robbie Williams (https://1882ltd.com/collections/jesus-the-pope/).
The latest news from 1882 Ltd. is “music to the ears” of everyone involved in generating a party atmosphere in The Potteries in 2025, to mark the fact that Stoke-on-Trent gained city status exactly 100 years ago.
For more details about the 100 Years, 60 Designers & 1 Future exhibition, visit www.stokemuseums.org.uk/pmag/whats-on/events/100-years-60-designers-1-future/ and https://1882ltd.com/collections/100-years-60-designers-1-future/
For more information about Stoke-on-Trent as a destination, see www.visitstoke.co.uk
