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[January 2003]
Lifetime Achievement Award for Ceramic Tutor
Ken Watt, Ceramics Tutor at West Dean College (nr Chichester, West Sussex, England), recently received the inaugural Nigel Williams Prize for his "unmatched contribution to ceramics and glass conservation".
Ken, who is Senior Tutor on the postgraduate Conservation & Restoration of Ceramics programme, received his award - a replica trophy of the Portland Vase donated by Wedgwood - from Meredith Etherington-Smith, editor-in-chief of Christie's magazine and editor of Art Review.
In 1973, Ken obtained a Diploma in Art in Ceramic Design from the Glasgow School of Art. Prior to his appointment at West Dean College, he spent 11 years working and training in ceramics conservation with Glasgow Museums. During his 16 at West Dean, he has overseen the development of the programme and the subsequent validation by the University of Sussex in 1995.
Nigel Williams, who died 10 years ago, was one of the pre-eminent figures in the development of ceramics and glass conservation, both in his teaching and his work at the British Museum. He worked on many iconic projects - such as Sutton Hoo and the Colossus - but is remembered for his work on the Portland Vase.
ENDS