Michael O’Brien has spent much of his time in Nigeria continuing the work begun there by Michael Cardew. Originally a painter, he became interested in pottery and travelled to Nigeria in 1963 to study with Cardew, staying with him until 1965. On his teacher’s retirement, O’Brien was employed by the Nigerian government to run the Abuja Pottery, which he did until 1972 when he returned to Cornwall to help Cardew run the Wenford Bridge Pottery (while Cardew went back to Nigeria to make the film “Mud and Water Man”).

Michael O’Brien’s pots have been presented to the Pope, the Emperor of Ethiopia and the Presidents of Niger and Nigeria. They can also be found in many private collections.

Gallery - click images to enlarge