Phillip Supersad - Introduction to Ceramic Sculpture

Phillip Supersad was born on June 8, 1957, in the Parish of Manchester in Jamaica.He attended the Knox College, where his early years of art training began.

Although his childhood years often found him "playing" with local clay while making "Dolly Pots", his early professional interest was in Graphic Art. His first achievement was obtaining passes at the Ordinary and Advanced level in Graphic Art.

He came to the Jamaica School of Art (at the age of 16) in 1974, where he first encountered clay at a professional level. An undying love and a firm attachment to clay development in those years, grew stronger daily. At the Art School, the world of Pottery opened to him and he came under the influence of such legends as Cecil Baugh, Gene Pearson, Christopher Gonzales and The Clonmel Potters. 

He graduated from the Art school in 1978, having obtained the Diploma with Honours in Ceramics. Supersad has gained scholarships to Ceramic Centres in Italy (1982-83) at the Centre for International Technical Co-operation in Rome and Australia at the University of Tasmania, Centre for the Arts in Tasmania. He has worked as a Consultant to the Organisation of American States (OAS).

In pursuit of his career goals, he has exhibited throughout Jamaica and the wider Caribbean (Trinidad, Barbados, The Bahamas, Grenada). He has also participated in exhibitions and held solo shows in the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and Australia.

His work, today, still reflects the romantic genius of his forebear, while establishing the unmistakable quality which has become recognized as Supersad's work. Supersad seeks to utilize as much local raw materials as possible while adapting international technology for local use.

Although he has been described as a "Sculptor who uses the wheel", he now seeks to consolidate both mechanical and technical skills, indigenous raw materials with international technology, to place his indelible stamp on the Art world.

In addition to producing his unique lines of products, doing commissions and art exhibitions, he now lectures in Ceramic Sculpture and Theory at the School of Visual Arts, Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts. Phillip Supersad is also a former President of the Jamaica Potters Association (JAPA), a body of professional potters and affiliates.

As a secondary interest, he enjoys drumming as has developed his own line of ceramic drums called "N'JRAPI". Supersad's credits his wife and business partner Arlene, as being his source of support and sound advice.