John Blake
John Blake was born in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, UK. He went on to form a band, study fine art, work in conservation, woodcraft and ceramic sculpture before taking up writing. His first book, the satirical farce Via Paradise, is available in our online bookshop.
The Lemmings
John was inspired by punk to pick up guitar and was soon on stage supporting other bands, even if he had to ask members of the audience how to tune his guitar! As he says, he always wrote his own songs because he couldn’t play anyone else’s.
In 1979 he formed a band, The Lemmings, which was to continue in various incarnations until the 1990s.
In John Blake’s words, The Lemmings were the band that “never really nearly made it”. They played a mix of songs – whatever they felt like – all written by band members.
Listen to more of The Lemmings on John Blake’s YouTube Channel.
Conservation Work
JB began countryside conservation with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. He went on to do conservation work in Staffordshire and Derbyshire for over 30 years. He learned multiple skills including hedge-laying, dry-stone-walling and green woodwork.
After his degree, he went into business as Hut 77 making green oak furniture. In addition he gave demonstrations on a pole lathe, working for the National Trust among others. Eventually an injury forced him to give up woodwork and he turned to ceramics.
Fine Art
In 1997, John Blake began his studies in Fine Art at Staffordshire University. He already had some training and experience in making ceramic sculptures. The course was very varied – as he says, “Something else every few minutes.” So he did everything from drawing and printing to skip art, installations and photography.
He eventually specialised in film and it was through drafting scripts and scenarios that he began to write. Soon he was extending ideas into book-length works
John Blake Originals and beyond
After closing Hut 77, JB launched John Blake Originals selling his unique ceramic sculptures. Modelled in grogged stoneware giving a lively texture, they are hand-painted, sanded and polished. He created collections of youth culture figures – punks, Teddy boys, hoodies and more – musicians, historical figures and abstract ones.
John retired in 2024 and closed the business to concentrate on his writing and his new hobby, archaeology. However, his remaining stock of ceramic sculptures is available for purchase in our online art shop.
Creative Style
I would describe JB’s work, both in art and literature, as insightful, imaginitive and wildly original. Humour is always a part of his worldview. He’s a naturally creative person who always wants to see and create things differently to the norm.
