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.