The Joanna Bird Foundation approached filmmaker Alex J. Wright to produce a documentary about potter Michael OBrien in order to document his wealth of experience and knowledge about the craft.
Michael OBrien is a master potter whose extraordinary life and work span continents, cultures, and generations. A close collaborator of Michael Cardew, whom he succeeded at the Abuja Pottery in Nigeria in 1965, he has played an essential role in shaping the landscape of modern African ceramics. While less widely known than some of his contemporaries, his influence is deep and far-reaching, inspiring and mentoring a generation of renowned potters including Magdalene Odundo, Ladi Kwali, Danlami Aliyu, Stephen Muya, Phillip Wood, Miranda Thomas, and William Plumptre, among others.
Now aged 94, Michael is one of the last surviving exponents of the Studio Pottery movement that flourished in the first half of the twentieth century and is a direct link to the Mingei movement founded by Bernard Leach. He continues to make pots with the same clarity and integrity that have defined his life’s work. A quiet pioneer, he remains dedicated to the marriage of tradition and innovation – carrying out groundbreaking glaze research using indigenous materials for the University of Nigeria.
This film will be the first to tell Michael’s full story – documenting his journey, his philosophy, and the powerful legacy he has created. It is a story not only of clay and kiln, but of mentorship, cultural exchange, and deep artistic integrity. By capturing Michael OBrien’s contribution to the world of ceramics, we aim to inspire future generations of ceramic enthusiasts and preserve the contributions of a man who has modestly shaped the course of studio pottery across continents.
We believe Michael’s incredible story and influence deserve a wider audience and would be invaluable inspiration to so many people in the craft as a bridge between the craft communities of Nigeria and the UK.
Such a project cannot be undertaken without funding. We hope you will consider supporting this vital project and help us honour the life and work of this remarkable artist.
To donate to the project, please click the ‘Donate Now’ button below, or visit the documentary’s GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/michael-obrien-documentary
