THE CURATOR'S VIEW - November/ December

As we approach the end of the year, the challenge is to ensure that the interest and stimulation that we strive to achieve each month is sustained, particularly as we approach that special time of the year – I'll not mention the C word!  For the period to year's end, we have four featured makers that will provide all the sensory delights.

There is also another special event as on November 19 the Gallery is pleased to be launching the publication of 'Just Pots', a monograph about the life and work of Chris Carter. It is special for me as I was privileged to be asked to write the text by Chris. I am so pleased that at last there will be a volume celebrating the work of one of the UK's important master craftsmen. We will be launching the book together and signing copies on the day from 1130. There will also be a small exhibition of new work by Chris.

The featured makers over this period are all Bevere favourites. There is a strong sculptural emphasis this time, although  we will have our usual diverse range of pots across the gallery.
Ross Emerson will be featuring a small group of his work.  I am particularly grateful that he is represented here as he has had the trauma of moving house and workshop to cope with for a large part of this year. Instantly recognizable, his sculptural pieces generate so many smiles amongst his admirers.  I hope to have one or two of his clocks which are always a talking point. For me he is a caricaturist in clay with a deft touch.




Christy Keeney has been showing at Bevere for many years. We have a new body of pieces which one of my colleagues described as probably the best group we have ever had from him – praise indeed, given that he has always sustained a high level of skill and creativity. I am sure that the work will be as popular as ever.







Jenny Southam has a fine art background and this shows in her work .  This range of pieces has her eye for detail and fine examples of her modelling skills. We have always enjoyed having Jenny's sculptures and these will generate smiles as well as admiration.

Maria Wojdat has provided a small set of her colourful hand-built vessels for this feature. They are small in scale but they have presence. Her bold use of colour is a characteristic of Maria's work and I particularly like the subtle combinations in small groups. It demonstrates very well that impact isn't always about size.



Once again we have a group of makers that I hope you will enjoy.

THE CURATOR'S VIEW - October 2016

THE CURATOR'S VIEW – October 2016

Firstly, the sad news is that Chiu-I Wu is unable to exhibit with us this month and I hope it will not be too long before we see her fine work in Bevere again. Fortunately we have two other makers who will bring light, colour and elegant design to the gallery.



Sutton Taylor is new to the gallery. I have no idea why it has taken us so long to invite a maker of such eminence and reputation to show at Bevere – thankfully he is with us this month. His lustre-ware vessels have been described as 'vibrant and luminous' and I anticipate that his work will have considerable impact on all who visit the gallery this month. He has pieces in numerous public collections including the V&A Museum, Los Angeles County Museum, the Alhambra Museum in Spain, the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. We can now add Bevere to that list.



I have said so much about the work of Matt Horne over the years that I am sure he will need no introduction to many of you. His crystalline glazing is amongst the best in my view and add to this his skilled throwing and he produces ceramics of sheer beauty and quality. I am so chuffed that we have two fine decorators in the gallery this month.








There are often discussions in the Gallery about ceramic tableware and the extent to which fine bespoke pieces add so much to the eating experience. As we are a featured maker short this month, I thought we might feature some of the tableware we have in the gallery.
Amongst the makers will be


 Kaori Tatebayashi seen so often in interiors magazine



 Charlotte Stockley  

                                                                      and Stuart Carey

 Discover how your choice of ceramics can add so much to the look and the taste of a meal.

OPEN STUDIOS

  Bevere Gallery is proud to be one of the supporters of this prodigious  Worcester event





 Many of our local artists and makers are opening their homes during the August Bank Holiday
  Week End
.

VALERIE  BRIGGS who has been teaching and exhibiting here at Bevere for very many years is opening her home and will be painting and showing her British Wildlife  and Fauna watercolours, prints and gift cards.

"What an enjoyable weekend, lot's of interesting visitors and positive complementary comments. A few sales the icing on a well made cake. Well done to our 'artist' organisers and business sponsors"
Valerie Briggs

 

CURATOR'S VIEW OF SEPTEMBER 2016

This 10th Anniversary year has provided the opportunity to reflect on and select the makers that have provided us with so much pleasure during the last decade but also the chance to involve makers who have yet to show here – indeed I never cease to be amazed at the superb ceramicists who have yet to appear on our featured maker programme.

 This month's featured makers embrace both





MO JUPP is an elder statesman of the ceramic world having been a teacher and mentor to so many ceramicists. He now lives and works in France. The move across the Channel has regenerated his creative vigour. This unique sculptor is a definite ‘one off’. His apparently simple approach to figurative ceramics is deceptive; behind every piece there is a perceptive insight into the human form.




CAROLINE COLE

is a new maker to us. Her intricately patterned and coloured pieces have an instant appeal. Caroline’s main business is in consultancy having trained as an Architect at Cambridge; If this is the product of part time work in ceramics we can only imagine the outcome if she were full time! I was impressed initially with her use of pattern and colour which is particularly striking and I suspect that many of our visitors will feel the same.

ANDY PALIN
is showing with us again having recovered from spinal surgery. His reticulated glazes and elegantly potted vessels have always been popular. He is meticulous in the finishing of his pieces and accepts nothing but perfection in his eyes. We are able to enjoy the fruits of his creative drive. This entirely new body of work - which I have just seen for the first time - extends the range of his work and is particularly sculptural. As always his making and decoration skills are meticulous. Once again a delight to show his work here.



As ever we try hard to ensure that there is contrast and diversity demonstrating the immense range of skills and creativity in ceramics.  If you think I have been overgenerous with my praise for these makers – come and judge for yourself.

Curator's View - August 2016

As summer sunshine finally arrives, the Gallery's featured maker programme continues to demonstrate how quality ceramics can also give so much warmth and light as well as pleasure. This month all three superb makers have shown with us before on several occasions.

Emma Rodgers has become an international figure in studio ceramics since she graduated from Wolverhampton. In fact, she showed her early pieces at Bevere at the onset of her professional career. It was evident then that she had a remarkable talent.  Emma's ability to reflect the essence of the figures that she makes - both animal and human – is often magical and her work in bronze is exceptional. Whatever pieces she decides to show they will bring joy to the Gallery and our visitors for sure.

Tanya Gomez has shown with us before but, importantly, not since taking an MA at the Royal Collegeof Art.        The impact is seen in the organic nature of her sensuous vessels and her striking use of contrasting colour. The RCA’s MA course has transformed many potters and Tanya is no exception.  It is the opportunity to spend time reflecting on one's current practice and the direction and focus of creative energy that makes the impact.
Each of Tanya's vessels that we are showing this month, whether  small or large, has a presence which, in my view,  comes from the passion that pervades her making.

Wendy Kershaw is an artist on clay. Her wall mounted framed images are unlike any other maker's that I know.  Her work is amusing , quirky, and so well executed. When Wendy first showed at Bevere the response was very positive indeed and we are certain that she will be welcomed back by many. Wendy crosses the so called craft/fine art divide but for me apart from the evident artistic merit, each piece makes me smile - always a bonus. Her draughtsmanship and design sense also add to the feeling that there is an exceptional talent at work here. Come and see for yourself.

As well as our featured makers there will be the usual diverse range of quality ceramics. Time spent looking and touching these pots will add so much to your day – it does mine!

THE CURATOR'S VIEW July 2016

If you are in any doubt that we are in the middle of Summer – you might be forgiven for thinking that Autumn has arrived early this year – then hopefully, the featured makers at Bevere this month should  brighten the outlook. 'Masters of their craft' is a well worn cliché but is absolutely right to describe the makers who are part of our 10th Anniversary celebration.

We have been privileged to show Walter Keeler's fine pieces for a number of years. He has been internationally recognised for much of his long career and his latest work is elegantly designed and executed with such consummate skill, as ever.  These are characteristics that have defined Walter's pieces for a long time. As I handle any pot,  I am conscious of the eye of a Master and the presence which each generates. There is the curator's challenge, to allow them to speak for themselves and for Walter of course.


Mark Dally has also shown here a number of times and this latest group from him confirms why. He is arguably one of the finest sliptrail decorators around. The completeness of his vision, confidence of execution and obvious facility with the sliptrailer is a joy.  Again, we have a maker whose name is spoken by each piece. His work epitomises the notion that our eating and drinking is enhanced by studio pots. Pleasure has to be the right word.



If you feel that I am exaggerating the qualities of these two makers, then come and see and judge for yourself.

We also have a small group of magnificent sculptures from Ostinelli and Priest. A large bull and horse are classic pieces. They have character and the nuances of tone and stance ensure that each is an original interpretation of these fine beasts.

Debbie Barber is also here again and is another confident and skilled raku decorator. Her bowls and other vessels are always popular  with our visitors.

Stuart Dickens
July 2016

THE CURATOR'S VIEW – June 2016

Half way through the year's featured maker programme already and we have so much more high quality ceramics for you. The feedback on the programme this anniversary year has been very positive, particularly regarding the diversity and undoubted quality of the exhibits. This month we have three makers featuring who have shown with us before and in one case over a number of years.

ANNIE PEAKER is a ceramic sculptress of instantly recognisable style. She has sold out on the previous occasions she has shown with us. The pieces feature children and young people from the mid 20th Century. Her highly skilled modelling reproduces clothes and demeanour so well. It is her ability to capture the essence of a moment that appeals so widely and I hope that the group of pieces we have in this month's feature will have strong appeal.

RICHARD PHETHEAN has not been with us for a while. He has taken over the Chairmanship of the Craft Potters Association and this makes considerable demands upon his time. I have seen the shape and decoration of his pieces change over the years and he ensures that each pot has a strong contemporary appeal. His work has great presence and looks good singularly or in small groups. Hope you agree – as always, let me know if you take a different view.







PETER HAYES has shown at Bevere many times and there is a piece or two always to be found on show. Peter is one of the most creative ceramicists and sculptors of his generation. Each piece provokes interest in design, his making processes and decoration. He is also happy to break away from his ceramic roots. His time spent working in India and establishing a craft village has meant a very useful exchange of working techniques and materials, all of which support an infinitely creative spirit. You will gather that I have the highest regard for Peter, as I am sure many of you do too.

So there we have it – another stimulating group of makers. Add to this the many other makers we will have on show and there will be much to stimulate and enjoy.

THE CURATOR'S VIEW – May 2016

The year advances at a rate and I find myself excited by the unfolding featured makers programme put together many months ago. May is particularly interesting as it brings together the work of such contrasting makers, two of whom are new to the gallery and the third, a good friend of Bevere, showing work indoors for the first time.

Nigel Edmondson has shown at Bevere almost all of the past decade. His attractive, skilfully made garden vessels and sculptures are regularly featured in the courtyard and his popularity has never waned. This month we will have  his work in the gallery, as well as the courtyard. Nigel brings together a strong deign sense, decoration that emphasises texture as well as colour and work that is evocative of the landscape where he lives and works.

Nigel Lambert has not shown at Bevere before, although he has been a significant maker over the past several years. His slip-decorated wood-fired earthenware has earned him international recognition. His thrown and altered pots combine bold contemporary shapes, his unique style of decoration and a strong sense of function. Over the years, I have increasingly enjoyed  the mix of unequivocally contemporary decoration and functionality – the epitome of three dimensional art. Nigel certainly catches the eye.

Guy Routledge is a ceramic sculptor also new to the Gallery. He hand builds a wide range of figurative pieces, many are monochrome but colour also features in many of his pieces. As readers familiar with Bevere Gallery will know,  a distinctive voice is a key criterion for showing here and Guy ticks all the boxes for us.



As well as our featured makers, we will be showing a wide variety of ceramicists that we represent. The gallery space will demonstrate the tremendous range of styles and making techniques that defines studio ceramics today.

Stuart Dickens - Ceramic Curator

THE CURATOR'S VIEW – APRIL 2016

As our regular web site readers will know, we are sadly without the sculptures of John Maltby  who was one of our planned featured makers for April. After illness, he may not be making again and we are very grateful to have had so many opportunities to show his work over the last ten years.

However, notwithstanding John's reluctant withdrawal we have three makers of outstanding quality Ingrid Saag  is a new maker to Bevere and I am delighted to be showing a fine group of her painterly vessels whose colour and flair will be just right for the first feature of Spring. I am attracted to artist / ceramicists as they bring an added dimension to their work. Colour is one of Ingrid's motivations  and her figurative and floral designs bear testament to her enthusiasm. What better harbinger of the season.







Emily Myers is a well known presence in the gallery and we are delighted to be having another group of her latest work. We have many conversations with visitors about her pieces and it is the elegance of design, subtlety of

decoration and the high level skills which attract the most comment. Whilst her work is self evidently 'Emily Myers' each new group demonstrates her concern to develop and expand her range and the possibilities without losing the essential qualities which define her.




Matthew Horne  has just returned from working in the USA and although he has been extremely busy of late, we have the pleasure of showing the work of another of our regular makers. Two features of Matt's pieces are outstanding – the quality of his thrown porcelain and the crystalline glazing which must rate amongst the best of those makers currently using this long established and difficult technique. This latest group has been a pleasure to handle. I speak as someone who was never a great fan of crystalline glazing until, that is, I came across the work of Matt Horne. It was the combination of glaze and pot shape which did it for me and I know he is a favourite of so many now.

I am also hoping we will have some new work from John and Jude Jelfs. It has been too long since we last showed their distinctly contrasting styles and I look forward to some surprises.

As always I hope there is much here to stimulate hand and eye and to get you talking about the joys of contemporary studio pottery.

Stuart Dickens
21/03/16

March 2016 - Ceramic Curator's Comments

This month we are featuring the work of two new names to Bevere with a maker who is no stranger to the Gallery and is amongst the best known of UK potters. What they have in common is their ability to make an impact, albeit from very different perspectives.

JIM MALONE

is one of the key figures in UK studio ceramics. His one man show here, several years ago, attracted great interest. Recognised for his making and decorating skills, such adept working with clay only comes from years of experience. I have great respect for his timeless craftsmanship and I hope that our visitors will be similarly moved.

ROWENA BROWN

is one of the new names at least until I saw her work for the first time at Ceramic Art London in  2015. My immediate reaction was to ask her to be part of our featured maker programme. Her ceramic houses, both individually and in groups, invoked for me the range and diversity of buildings in old communities. This original work provides an interesting contrast to more conventional ceramics.

BRUCE CHIVERS

is an Australian ceramicist who has lived in the UK for a number of years. His raku pots have elegant design and striking decorative technique. He is also new to Bevere, although I have owned one of his pots for a number of years - why has it taken so long for me to ask him to feature here? We look forward to showing his work in a month which truly defines everything the Gallery seeks in its featured maker programme – quality, contrasting diversity and a distinctive voice.

Whilst on the subject of diversity, we have of course a considerable range of other work for you to see and I am sure there will be pieces that you have not seen before. Amongst them we will have finely decorated plates from

OWEN THORPE





See you soon I hope.

Stuart Dickens
22/02/16