ARCHAEOLOGY, machinery, engineering, architecture and nature are just a few sources of inspiration for Andrew Dowden's handmade, hand-carved sculptural ceramics.

They are on show this week at the Quarr Abbey Art Gallery, from Thursday, July 11, to Tuesday, July 16. Admission is free.

The ceramic artist has been a carpenter for 20 years, but was inspired to take up ceramics while researching the IW pottery book, A Century of Ceramics.

Mainly self-taught, he enjoys constructing slab-built forms, with surface texture and hand-carving being his primary interest.

An idea forms and a great deal of thought is given to design before the clay is even touched.

He said: "I make pieces to please myself, but it is gratifying when other people think enough of my designs to actually buy a piece."

His textured wall art painted in oils will also be on show, complementing ceramic standing forms and tiled wall panels.

Andrew will be in attendance throughout the exhibition, so there is an opportunity to purchase direct from the artist.