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

MORGEN HALL- In Memory

Born 1960 – Died 17th February 2016

It is with great sadness that we have heard of the death of one of our favourite makers whose making skills and design creativity were amongst the best. She had an entirely original style that could never be mistaken for any other maker and we are certain that those fortunate owners of her work will treasure those pieces even more with her passing.

Morgen's work has fine detail and finish on strong, bold forms. A high firing, smooth red earthenware is used, both for its rich cinnamon colouring and for its durability in use. She always wanted her pieces, however fine, to be used and indeed, they will enhance any afternoon tea,
 as will be seen with this set which we are showing in her memory.

She will be missed by all lovers of beautiful studio ceramics. Thankfully we have the gift of her wonderful creations to sustain the memory of this truly original maker.

Morgen was a Fellow of The Craft Potters' Association

AND THEN THERE WAS MORE

I have previously written about the featured makers for February – Jane Hamlyn, Clare Crouchman and Claire Seneviratne and our visitors have already expressed their pleasure at seeing this new work. However, after the Graduate Show, which takes over the whole Gallery space in January, we reset the exhibition space so that once again we can display the range and diversity of our makers.

I thought it would be helpful to let you know about some of the other makers who are supporting our featured makers this month.
 We have small groups of work from Jin Eui Kim 

 Antonia Salmon, 

Jane Muir,

  Jitka Palmer.

  For my part I am delighted to be showing pieces made with such high level skills and creativity.

Worth a visit I am sure – see you soon.

Stuart Dickens
10 February 2016