THE CURATOR’S VIEW - January 2013

Happy New Year!

I write this in the week when we put up the annual GraduateShow, which opens Saturday 5th January and runs until Saturday 26th January.

I am often asked how we select the exhibitors for this show, which are mainly ceramics graduates but also include jewellers, artists and an exceptional bowl maker from Herefordshire. Each year, we attend the New Designers Exhibition in London, which brings together all of the Applied Arts Graduates from that year. This enables us to compare and contrast the graduates in one place at the same time, which from a curator’s perspective is invaluable. We long list, from that first look, those makers who essentially fill two criteria – good craft skills and an individual voice. Back at Bevere we then make our final choice – not always an easy task.

It is invidious to pick out any one of the makers. Visitors will be able to select whom they like the best and possible win £100 for doing so. Suffice to say; there is exceptional new talent here which we hope will capture your imagination and interest. This is an important event for the gallery and an even more important show for the graduates.

As we have in previous years, we will be showing the work of graduates whose work continues to be shown at Bevere. We are also delighted to have another group of new pieces from Chris Taylor, who won last year’s vote to give every one of our visitors, but particularly those who voted for him, the chance to see his work one year on.

Do come and see this show. It is the perfect antidote to rain and grey skies!

                                                                                                                              Stuart Dickens

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THE CURATOR' S VIEW - November 2012

If you are already tired of dark mornings and early evenings, then, I hope that the new studio ceramics that we have during November and December will bring more than a little light into your life. As regular readers of this blog will know, we have been featuring the work of a selected group of ceramicists who are Associates of the Craft Potters Association. Whilst these potters are not yet full members of the CPA, on the evidence of those that have been shown over the past months they are no less skilled or committed to their craft. We have had fine examples of both craft and creativity and upcoming we have the last four of the group who clearly maintain the standard.

Firstly, our featured makers this month are Margaret Curtis,

Multicolour Pots by Carolyn Genders

 CarolynGenders and Ruthanne Tudball. Margaret is showing a group of pots that reflect her organic approach to vessel making and the use of a colour palate that reflects the landscape of Co. Durham where she lives and works with husband Eddie Curtis. This contemplative work will I am sure be much enjoyed.

Carolyn is an old friend of Bevere Gallery and as always it is a pleasure to have a small group of her latest pieces. She is particularly admired for her decoration. Her book ‘Sources of Inspiration’ gives us insights into her approach. The landscape of Sussex where she lives and works is a major source of that inspiration and this will be evident in these pots.

Ruthanne has not had new work here for a time. This Californian born potter has a wonderful flowing and organic throwing style that brings movement and nuance to so much of her work. This latest group of pots adds to the richness and diversity of the exhibitors this month. It really is a joy to set out work of this quality – it requires only a little help from me as with all good pots – they speak for themselves.

Now for the potters I mentioned at the start of this piece. Wendy Fowler - painterly pieces with sgraffitto drawings reflect her love of the coastal landscape of beach huts, boats and houses. Guaranteed to remind us of past summer holidays.

Jane Gibson is exhibiting pieces that are distinct, elegantly thrown, smoke fired pots. The pieces

Jane Gibson's  Raku Pots

are well chosen for the variety of shapes and her studies of Indian rural potters have clearly influenced her approach. She uses a paper kiln technique which she evolved as a result of her travels in the Subcontinent.

Christine Gray also produces work in a technique which she has developed over time. These pots are made upside down and right way up they look very much like a large flower about to get in full bloom or a splash in brilliant white paint. Whatever these vessels may evoke for you, they are pristine lambent pieces that capture every lumen of winter light.

Ceramics by Marianne von Tucka

Marianne von Tucka who is the last of our CPA Associate group makes contemporary vessels which are thrown and modified.  She also makes sculptural objects which are hand-built using a combination of techniques including coiling, slab-building and pinching.  Colour is an evident passion and she has developed a palette of vibrant stoneware glazes with contrasting surfaces. Another potter whose work I had not seen before whom we are delighted to be showing at Bevere.

Pottery by Lisa Hammond

Finally, there is an extra treat for ceramophiles. We are pleased to bring together the eminent potter, Lisa Hammond and artist

Oil Painting "Rococo"  by Tim Burns

 Tim Burns. Quite recently they were in an exhibition of painters painting potters pots in a Hampshire gallery and we were very pleased when they agreed to show together again at Bevere. They are not the same pots but never mind it is still great to have the artist’s evocation of Lisa’s distinctive pots.

 Stuart Dickens

THE CURATOR’S VIEW – OCTOBER 2012

October sustains the Bevere Gallery reputation for quality and diversity. Our leading featured makers  Chris Carter

 

 and Adam Buick
 - share similar interests. Both have deep roots in the landscape and a life-long interest in archaeology and the influence of man on his environment.  However, the similarity ends there as their work is strikingly different.

Chris has been making for over forty years and, in my view, is one of the most underrated of British studio potters.  His craftsmanship, the attention to detail and the elegance of his designs are the hallmarks of a master potter. I have admired – and owned – Chris’s work for many years and they have a timeless quality which sits comfortably in any context.

Adam has not shown here before and we are delighted to be exhibiting a group of his work which will show why his reputation has grown in recent years. His pots are beautifully thrown and redolent of the landscape in South-West Wales where he lives and works.  Adam’s vessels are made for reflection and for me they generate a calming presence and a mirror on the world he sees from his window.

Three other featured makers – Sian van Driel,

 Thrown pots by Sian van Driel

Barbara Phelps

 and Kay Waite

 – add further diversity and interest to this month’s offerings.  Sian’s raku and smoked fired vessels are thrown on an old kick wheel. The thrown vessel is such an iconic element of ceramic history it continues to bring so much pleasure to the aficionado as well as those who simply enjoy looking at beautiful objects. Raku and smoke firing bring an additional unpredictable quality to Sian’s work.

I have known and respected Barbara for a number of years. Her creative energy is remarkable in a maker who has already spent a professional lifetime teaching. She continues to explore and develop her work and we are delighted to be showing a new body of her decorative pieces.

Whilst much of the work which we are showing this month has robust qualities, Kay Waite’s work which is elegant and delicate, is influenced by her concerns for the fragility and preciousness of life. Whilst Kay is new to Bevere, we are confident that she will bring a new dimension to our rapidly expanding portfolio of makers.

THE CURATOR’S VIEW (SEPTEMBER 2012)

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After the Cornwall Show, which so many people have enjoyed during the Summer, expectations will be raised for the coming months and I am sure that no one will be disappointed. For the rest of this year we have quality and diversity in abundance including makers who have never appeared at Bevere before.

In September, the list of featured makers is headed by Eddie Curtis. It is too long since we last showed the work of this master potter. His work is elegant and exquisitely crafted and whilst he has been amongst the established studio ceramicists for many years, he is never satisfied with the status quo.

Eddie Curtis's pots - just unpacked ready to display

A display  of Kate's ceramics in the Gallery

I saw Kate Schuricht’s ceramics at Ceramic Art London earlier in the year. Kate makes raku and stoneware sculptural ceramics in a range of subtle crackles and smoky finishes. I was impressed and decided then that we should invite her to Bevere. I am sure you will agree with me that she is a worthy addition to the many potters that we now represent.

Carol's Spoon

Carol Ray Niño lives in Madrid. Interestingly her bold sculptures have a Spanish feel to them despite her English origins. She works in porcelain and refractory clay and each medium gives a different quality to the work.


 


JohnMahoney-Philips shares a workshop with Chris Keenan, Carina Ciscato and Annie Turner in London. However, his work is influenced by the Pembrokeshire coast from where he finds many of his materials and inspiration. His use of found objects ensures that a surprising twist is given to his high fired vessels.






Sally Shrimpton is a well- known slipware potter who now lives and works in France. I am looking forward to her functional ceramics which are decorated in strong colours that we associate with the south of France.

Three mugs by Sally

If this isn’t enough to whet your appetite, then we can add new work from  Gary Wood  and Richard Dewar

Richard's Teapot Sculpture

A Porcelain Vase - Gary Wood

  and a completely new name to us, the sculptor Frank A Smith.

This is the array of studio ceramics that we enjoy showing. It demonstrates that notwithstanding the economic vagaries of the last few years, studio ceramics remains a vibrant and exciting arena.
Stuart Dickens
26 August 2012

Mark Smith in Residence

A breath of the sea came to the  Gallery
 Stable  during the last week in August-


 Mark Smith's special ceramic and wood sculptures wowed our visitors.

 To see him creating these pieces while talking to folk who popped in for a chat was so interesting. Each piece tells a story.

 Some of Mark's ceramic sculptures on show and for sale in the Gallery

Quote from Mark

"I had a great time, so inspiring!"

Nic Harrison - In Residence

It was a pleasure  to host Nic Harrison(One of our Cornish Potters) in Bevere Stable Show Room all last week.
Nic and his wife travelled all the way up from Cornwall and during his time here he produced many pots on the Wheel.


 The weather was good on the whole and Nic placed his Potter's wheel outside the Stable so that our  Gallery Cafe visitors had a very good view of him at work and had many a conversation with him and his wife

A selection of Nic's finished pots

Busy outside  Bevere Stable

Talking !

  Towards the end of the week they were joined by their  daughters and family who enjoyed their visit to Worcester

A visit from Nic's family

Pete Higgs & Friends in the Stable Workshop

Bevere Stable - Exhibition of the Group's Ceramics

We were very pleased to welcome 'Pete and his Friends' back this year to do a week's residence

 Pete is one of our regular exhibitors and his stoneware fruit and leaves have been part of our sculpture trail for many years.  His ceramics are always available in the Gallery and 'online'

Pete Higgs working on his porcelain sculptures

Ronald Styles arranging display of his ceramics

Gill Tennant-Eyles with her handbuilt pots

Eunice Powell starting her screen printing

 There was a different potter demonstrating each day and our visitors enjoyed seeing their varied work and talking about their experiences.


Pete Higgs, Gill Tennant-Eyles, Eunice Powell and Roland Styles formed a small artist group after studying for their Degrees and Masters at University.


Since then they have organised an exhibition tour and after the Bevere Stables workshop will be at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery for a 12 month exhibition in the contemporary galleries, under the name of "Ceramics Collective".







All four have said how much they have enjoyed their week at Bevere Gallery, as it has given them the opportunity to interact with buyers and explain their work in more detail.

Pete says "Hopefully visitors to the gallery have enjoyed talking to the artists, we've certainly enjoyed talking to them and would love to return next year".

Ostinelli and Priest In Residence

Once again throughout this Summer we have a planned series of Artists and Makers in Residence in the Stable Workshop. A chance for our visitors to meet them in person and see them creating their artwork

Last week we were delighted to welcome two of our popular ceramicists 

Ostinelli and Priest

 

We have  shown and sold their unique ceramic animal sculptures in Bevere Gallery for a good few years  and were very pleased to have the opportunity to get to know them better

I am sure we will always be good friends

To see these being made from start to kiln ready was so interesting and a great privilege

  











Visitors to the gallery spent time with them watching them at work and enjoyed many a conversation

The Stable Workshop - Artist in Residence

Once again throughout this Summer we have a planned series of Artists and Makers in Residence in the Stable Workshop.  A chance for our visitors to meet them in person and see them creating their art work




Antony Bridge returned this year and spent a very productive week  in the area including Bevere Knoll garden.

The rain did not deter him.  Being a  'Plein Aire" artist he was out and about in the area surrounding the Gallery.

 

Artist in Residence June 2012- comment form Antony
"My 2nd year being artist in residence at the Gallery at Bevere. I left after my week last year feeling a great connection with the area, painting plein air in the fields and on the Bevere Green, that connection had not faded and enjoyed finding new views to paint with my pochade box. I was mainly drawn to the blooming pink potato fields which I stood in painting in the rain and cold wind. I enjoy so much visiting the gallery, seeing the staff who all look after you so well and excited about what I am producing. It was also nice to chat to some of the customers who have an interest in my work and shared view spots in the local area which I must go and paint soon, thank you".

St John the Baptist Church- Claines

The Cabbage Field Opposite the Gallery

  A   SELECTION   OF   OIL   PAINTINGS   ANTONY PRODUCED   DURING   THE   WEEK








It was great having your company Antony and sharing your excitement over the inspiring area around us. We are looking  forward to having some of these paintings in the Gallery for our visitors to see and enjoy.