Before telling you about the new work in the gallery during
July, I would like to comment on the Ceramics
Now event. We had a good number of visitors who clearly appreciated some of
the best makers in studio ceramics. The feedback was universally positive and
it was particularly heartening to see the time and focus that so many gave to a
fine body of work from our exhibitors. Whilst the on-line galleries and ceramic
fairs are important elements in a changing market, we hope that the gallery
continues to play an important role in educating and promoting, as well as
selling ceramics.
Whilst last month was clearly a high spot in our ceramics
calendar, we have endeavoured to bring you new work from makers that will bring
you back to Bevere during July. In fact, you can be sure that we will always
having something new to stimulate, provoke and give pleasure.
Featured this month are James Oughtibridge,
Ashley Howard and Richard Heeley.
James Outibridge has provided a wonderfully crafted feature for the
courtyard which consists of two tall sinuous pieces which engage each other in
intimate conversation. There are four more of his
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| James's Large Black Vessel |
seductively shaped ceramic
sculptures inside the main gallery. I’ve been keen to show James’s work for
some time and I know that he will add presence and elegance to the gallery –
hope that you agree.
Ashley Howard provides another set of his tea bowls and urns
in his inimitable style. David Whiting accurately described him
“using tradition and his own idiosyncratic
hand to enliven the language of the present, and in so doing, helps to give
clay its continuing life”. The synthesis of contemporary aesthetics
within a traditional context certainly works for me.
Richard Heeley is new to Bevere and he comes
on the back of
an excellent feature in the latest issue of
Ceramic
Review.
This work is an
amalgam of oriental influence, fine draughtsmanship, decorative skills and elegant
design. His tea bowls, complete with decorated box and matching paper wrapper
for the vessel, show his eye for detail. These pieces are a visual treat.
If these makers are not enough for you, then we have new
work from
Peter Hayes, Fritz Rossmann and Keith Varney.
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| Keith Varney' s Hand built Porcelain |
We are also blessed
with a sculpture by young Taiwanese ceramicist Chiu-I Wu which is being shown
in the courtyard – I hope that we will have her work in the main gallery next
year.
The Ceramics Now show may be over but Bevere continues to
truly represent ceramics now.
This group of pots shows his technical prowess and his
design skills. Peter and Christiane have been friends for a long time and I
know that they like to show together. The contrast in their work is stunning
and Christian’s monochrome pieces sit so well alongside Peter’s often complex
decoration. He has recently shown at in the gallery at Rufford concurrent with
