Wednesday 22 March 2017

THE CURATOR'S VIEW–April 2017



The new ceramic year is well advanced and Spring – yes I think it has arrived – brings with it opportunities for renewal and looking again at our world. This group of featured makers brings together experienced and skilled makers and I have no doubt that the light which the gallery now enjoys from increasing sunshine will enhance this engaging range of pieces.

Good to have Kate Schuricht back in Bevere again. Her small scale, finely made pieces shown in groups, make attractive installations. Her concern for texture, light and shade adds to the interplay between her pieces. After graduation Kate worked for some time in Japan and, I have to say, that experience is reflected in her work and the attention to detail.


John and Jude Jelfs will need no introduction to regular visitors to the gallery. Notwithstanding that they have lived and worked together for many years their styles are so contrasting. Jude is contemporary and sculptural with a stimulating use of colour and shape. John is a more traditional potter with high level craft skills - his pots have always been much admired. His design skills are self evident and he is arguably the best teapot maker in the business!

Janet Halligan is fascinated with different surface textures, her pieces often emulate, leather, metal, cardboard, with an extraordinary likeness to the real thing. She also experiments with functionality in the shape of jugs, vases and cups that incorporate her fascination with fastenings, ties and fixings, juxtaposing a seemingly ordinary vessel with an extraordinary identity for the piece.

Saturday 4 March 2017

THE MAKER'S LUNCH FRIDAY 3rd MARCH



We have just held our inaugural Maker's Lunch and given the very positive feedback from the participants, we anticipate that it will be the first of many.

The idea of setting aside a couple of hours over lunch for informal and insightful discussion between one of our featured makers and ceramic enthusiasts, is seen as part of the Bevere ethos of promoting, educating and informing about studio ceramics, as well as showing and selling. This first event involved Jin Eui Kim – the Korean ceramicist who now lives and works in Cardiff.

Jin was an excellent choice for the first event. He responded so well to a wide range of questions about his making technique, the philosophy that underpins his brilliant pieces and wider issues about his influences and interests. His masterful work was viewed at length along with the work of two other featured makers – Ali Tomlin and Martin Pearce. Whilst their pieces could not be more contrasting,  their evident design and making skills provided further discussion points – there were no uncomfortably pauses as the questions and opinions continued unabated throughout our meal together.

It is always salutary to hear a Master Potter – and Jin has to be deserving of that title – say that he is still learning. I suspect that, despite his young age, he will be saying that throughout his making life. Such is his innate modesty and his creative curiosity.

Thank you Jin for getting the programme off to such an inspirational start.

Stuart Dickens
Ceramic Curator
4th March 2017