AN internationally-known ceramics artist, with family links to Derbyshire textiles pioneer Richard Arkwright, says the digital world is breathing new life into traditional British crafts.

The change has not be seen in this way since the Industrial Revolution, according to Sebastian Blackie, University of Derby Professor of Ceramics.

He will deliver a free public lecture called A Chemistry of Things – Some Thoughts On Contemporary Ceramic Practice, on Wednesday, at 6.15pm, at the university's Markeaton Street site, in Derby.

Professor Blackie has exhibited works in London, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East – and last year worked alongside Chinese clay craft workers, to produce his exhibits for the Fu Le International Ceramic Art Museum in Fu Ping, Shaanxi Province, northern China.

His family's traditional crafts roots go back to at least the 18th Century, when his great, great, great-grandfather received help from Derbyshire textiles giant Richard Arkwright, founder of the historic Arkwright's Mill in Cromford, to set up his own mill in New Lanark, Scotland.

Professor Blackie's lecture will focus on the need for modern British crafts artists to show some of the same innovation and global thinking as those of yesteryear.

To book a place to attend the free public lecture go online to web page www.derby.ac.uk/blackie or phone Angela Drinkwater at the University of Derby on 01332 591046.