Born in 1955, John Williams' journey into pottery began at a young age. In 1971, he built his first kiln, sparking a lifelong exploration of ceramics. After graduating from Wellington's Design School in 1974, he became deeply involved in the craft, constructing kilns and participating in ceramic exhibitions throughout the Wellington region. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, he traveled extensively, working in potteries across Canada, Indonesia, Sweden, and Germany, further refining his skills and artistic vision.

From 1985 to 2000, John worked extensively in the New Zealand and Hollywood film industries as an art director and props maker. His creativity also expanded into architectural design, as he designed and built numerous homes in Auckland and beyond between 1990 and 2015. However, his passion for pottery remained constant, and in 2015, travels to Japan reignited his deep connection to the art form.

John draws significant inspiration from Japanese ceramics, particularly the Oribe style, which is known for its avant-garde, deformed vessels and bold, abstract patterns. His work is also influenced by the Japanese philosophy of ‘Wabi-Sabi,’ which celebrates the beauty of imperfection and transience. He hand-mixes his own glazes, often using ash and materials sourced from the Ruapehu region, where he currently resides.

In 2017, John designed and built a ceramic studio in Ohakune, Ruapehu, equipped with a variety of kilns, including wood-fired, oil-fired salt, electric, gas, and gas-fired Hikidashi (Raku) kilns. His ceramics are used in everyday life and are also held in collections around the world.

Currently living in Tongariro National Park with his Japanese partner, John continues to evolve his practice, blending traditional techniques with contemporary expression, always guided by the natural beauty of his surroundings and the philosophy of embracing imperfection.