Dan Arbeid

Dan Arbeid (2 April 1928 - 19 September 2010) was an English studio potter, considered innovative with a radical use of hand-building techniques.^[1]

Coiled pot by Dan Arbeid

Early life and education

Arbeid was born into a secular Jewish family in Stepney, East London. Having left school in 1942 he worked as a tailor for thirteen years.^[2] Looking for a change in direction, Arbeid travelled to Israel where he stayed on a kibbutz before moving to Beersheba to join the Harsa Pottery ceramic art department working with Nehemia Azaz.^[3] In 1957 he became a pottery technician at Central School of Art and Design,^[4] and later lectured there and at Camberwell College of Arts.^[2]

Career

Arbeid was the subject of a film directed by Mike Dibb "Dan Arbeid, Potter" in 1971.^[5] His work was exhibited at the Primavera Gallery and is also featured in the William Alfred Ismay collection^[6] and the Victoria and Albert Museum.^[7]