The Curator's View - October 2018

It is always a pleasure to change over the gallery and create a different look. This month is going to be special as we have three makers who have been with us a few times before and they have always generated interest through their creativity and undoubted artistry.

Akiko Hirai is one of our favourites and we are pleased to see her work here again. Her Japanese origins are clearly evident in most of her pieces but they are nevertheless contemporary and often at the edge of design and ceramic development. It is her innovative spirit which pervades her making that attracts so many to her fine vessels. I am particular pleased that she will be joining us for the Makers Lunch to be held on on 6 October.

It is too long since Alasdair MacDonell  

and Sally MacDonell
 

have shown here and I have missed their exceptionally innovative and original approaches to ceramic sculpture.  They do have distinct stylistic voices, however they  share the same values in terms of skills and a concern to enhance the home with objects of beauty and long-lasting interest. I last saw Sally's work at Ceramic Art London and was struck then by the maturity and confidence in her making.

More than any language we might choose to describe the work this month, the smile is likely to be the most common expression of the pleasure that I know will be generated by Akiko, Alasdair and Sally

Stuart Dickens

Ceramic Curator

September 2018

Next Maker's Lunch Saturday 6th October

We are delighted that Akiko Hirai has agreed to join us for the Makers Lunch on 6 October between 1200 and 1400. when she will be discussing her fine work which will be featured during October.

She describes her work as semi-spontaneous and we can see the freedom of expression which marks her use of clay. This promises to be an exceptionally interesting and enjoyable time with this highly respected maker – as well as a delicious lunch.

To join us ring Bevere Gallery 
 01905 754484   and book your place – there are only a limited number of places.

The Curator's View - September 2018

The change of makers each month is coming around with extraordinary speed, or is this just the perception of an ageing curator? Nevertheless, we have an exciting mix of styles and making techniques that will hopefully maintain your interest in what is happening at Bevere and in the world of studio ceramics.

Hyu Jin Jo was at Bevere the first time in one of our Graduate Shows – her work was certainly highly regarded then. Now living and working in South Korea, she has built on her well-developed skill base to produce work which combines the contemporary with the traditional oriental. There is a simple elegance of design underpinned by her evident making skills. This is work which will sit comfortably in any context - always an indicator of good design. Delighted to be showing her work here again.

Lara Scobie will be known for her previous shows here. Based in Scotland, this skilled maker in porcelain has high level design and decorating skills which give her work such a distinctive voice. She often uses simple line drawing to exceptional effect. For her, it is the balance between composition and form, absence and presence, that offers some of the most exciting opportunities for expressing her creative voice.

Add to these the range and diversity of other makers in the gallery and as always it should be an enriching experience.

Stuart Dickens

August 2018

A SPECIAL VISIT

Before the end of the exhibition featuring her work, I was delighted to welcome the eminent German potter Christiane Bernstiel with her artist husband Ulrich Sack. They were on a visit from their home in Neuenkirchen, Germany staying with long time friend the musician, Paul Wilson.

I have great admiration for the Bauhaus movement which was so influential in refocusing design after the jugendstil period (German Art Nouveau). Its impact was felt across the range of arts and architecture for many years after the Bauhaus School closed in 1933. Christiane's father Otto Lindig was for a time lead potter at the Bauhaus.

This gives some insight into the influences on her work; the picture of Christiane with myself holding a splendid large jug which captures the fundamental principles of Bauhaus design – 'sculptural functionality' most succinctly defines it.

The time over lunch and in the gallery was a real pleasure and Christiane showed so much interest in the work on display as well as appreciating the way we had displayed her own pieces. I am pleased to say that she much admired what we are trying to achieve at Bevere with the emphasis on quality and diversity. Her work most certainly adds to that range and I look forward to showing her work into the future. Hopefully, we will also have the chance to see her and Ulrich again.

Stuart Dickens
Ceramic Curator

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THE CURATOR'S VIEW AUGUST 2018

The year advances at a pace - the change around this month seems with us all too quickly. We have three very different makers for us all to enjoy. Two of them have not exhibited here before and the third has shown here on several occasions and his reputation grows with each exhibition.

Many of you who are regular visitors will know the work of of Jin Eui Kim He is a meticulous maker with high level design and making skills. He demonstrates the impact of line and subtle colour on the way we view a vessel and the way light can change everything. Visitors to the gallery have always been amazed at his immaculate technique – all his work is hand decorated with stunning accuracy and flawless finish.

Laura Bird is here for the first time.  She is an  illustrator and potter based in Hackney, East London. With her background in illustration, a strong focus on narrative, character and pattern can be found in each piece. This is definitely ceramics to make you smile.

Ben Arnup is the other newcomer to the gallery this month although he has been an established and innovative maker over a number of years now. Trompe l'oeil is a familiar technique in art and his use in ceramics produces pieces which will always make you stop and think twice – at least! We are also particularly pleased that he will be joining us for the Makers Lunch on Saturday 4 August and I am confident that it will be a fascinating and insightful experience. Do come and join us.

So there we are -  hopefully enough to whet your appetite for yet another month.

Stuart Dickens

Ceramic Curator

August 2018

Demo Week in the Gallery Stable

We are delighted to be holding a week of ‘Meet the Maker/Artist Demo Days’ here at Bevere, in our Stable between 11am-3pm Monday 16th - Friday 20th July🎨

You will be able to come and interact with the artist during their demonstration to give you an insight into some of the classes we have on offer.

Monday 16th July-
Karen Stone-Watercolour artist

Tuesday 17th July-
Sally Morgan-Lino cut artist

Wednesday 18th July-
Kate Wrigglesworth-Artist who uses a variety of medium

Thursday 19th July-
Val Briggs-Wildlife artist

Friday 20th July-
Rachel Murgatroyd-Calligraphy

We would love to see you!

THE MAKERS LUNCH

6 JULY

WALTER KEELER

We have now held a number of these events and all have been much enjoyed, however this lunch with such an eminent maker was exceptional.

I was delighted when Walter agreed to join us, not only because of his international reputation, but, having known him for a long time, I knew that he would talk openly and freely about his work and  decades of experience.

In the Gallery, Walter talked eloquently about the fine group of his pots we have featured this month – salt-glaze and earthenware – and almost every vessel enabled him to describe his approach to making and interestingly how a number of his glazes were developed over time. What was evident from the outset was the extent to which he thinks through the making process and reviews the options at each step in the making. This may be getting the right colour and texture of glaze or ensuring the clay body is appropriate and facilitating.

It became very clear that notwithstanding his years of experience, he continues to experiment and develop his work. This is, in many ways a function of his undying creative spirit, which has remained with him since he was a boy. For the makers round the lunch table he provided valuable insights into making, glazing and firing his work. For the non-makers, he impressed with the clarity of his descriptions and importantly the sheer amount of time that is devoted to making – making work of such quality and originality that is.

It was particularly fascinating to hear him explain how the large extruded jug on show was made. Extruding on that scale and diameter is technically tricky and clearly it took him time to work through ways in which shape and form could be sustained through the extrusion and subsequent processes. The result speaks for itself. It is a magnificent piece of his finest salt-glaze ceramic.

Teaching has always been an important part of his ceramic life and he gave a number of insights into the mutuality of the teaching environment – learning from it himself as well as clearly giving support advice and insights to his pupils.

Notwithstanding his international reputation and his undoubted skills in making and design, Walter's modesty and readiness to learn is always apparent. Whilst it may be a cliché that his work speaks for him, I have to say that he adds so much in his conversation which leads to even greater understanding of the man and his fine work.

Thanks once again to Walter for a memorable two hours.

Stuart Dickens

Ceramic Curator

July 2018

   The Next Maker's Lunch is with
Ben Arnup  on Saturday 4th August

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