Walter Keeler was born in London and studied at Harrow School of Art. In 1965 he established his first workshop in Hertfordshire, moving to Wales in 1976. He has held a number of teaching positions, and his work has been exhibited worldwide. Keeler began by making functional oxidised stoneware pots, but after moving to Wales his work began to acquire a more sculptural feel that took 18th Century Staffordshire-ware and tin oil-cans as points of reference; the pieces made were wholly functional. These more sculptural works offered a range of possibilities with the salt glazing techniques he then employed to create a new and more inventive form of domestic-ware. His more recent work has moved on from the precisely pitched forms of his salt glazed works to become more whimsical; the somewhat austere grey, blue and green salt glazes have given way to works inspired by 18th Century English Whieldon-ware made from earthenware and glazed with colour to give a tortoiseshell effect.

Further reading:
Emmanual Cooper and Amanda Fielding, Walter Keeler, Denbirghshire County Council, 2004 (ISBN 1900941716)