Michael Layne grew up in Port Antonio where he was strongly affected by that parish’s lush plant life, its seacoast studded with rough coves, its turquoise surf and its generous rains. He often expressed a fascination with the qualities of earth and mud which abounded in the rainy season.Michael chose to specialise in ceramics at the Edna Manley School for Visual Art. While he learned the traditional Jamaican and international styles his restlessness with convention led him to experiment. His work since graduating has kept this experimental and deeply personal edge. He credits ceramist Gene Pearson with helping him develop his artistic perception and creativity.Since graduating Michael has exhibited in some twenty exhibitions in galleries�� in Kingston. A prolific potter, he claimes he has transformed some three tonnes of clay into studio pieces in the last ten years.Much of Michael’s work consists of large bottles or bowls assembled with clay slabs and decorated with oxides of slips, and single fired. An architectural pattern from the slab’s assembly often gives the impression of fragmentation despite a general unity of form. Some have seen this as Michael’s philosophy of post-modern society. The artist himself is more reticent, and simply talks about the satisfaction of new clay creations, the use of familiar forms, the raw texture, and a power of communication which his pieces evoke in himself and those who view it.Recently his work has taken a new direction. Returning to his home town�� of Port Antonio, he has found inspiration in its architecture. He creates clay images that reflect these disappearing vintage homes. His images are met with delight by those who remember their national heritage and ‘country origins’. PA-S 2000