He was born in the United Kingdom and emigrated to Australia in 1988 where he studied at the National Art School in Sydney, winning the State Medal in 1993.
[1] Of his work, he says: I endeavour to make pots that are beautiful visually and physically, and that are a pleasure to use.
Often certain qualities present in the pot are quite subtle and will not be discovered easily or quickly.
[2] -Matthew BlakelyIn an interview with Contemporary Ceramics, Blakely says: I seem to work in three or four month periods, which is how long it takes me to prepare clays and rocks, make pots, glaze pack and fire my kiln.
This is very time consuming but it’s become extremely important to me that I’m involved in the whole process of making.