The Gallery says "Goodbye to a Master Potter"

Bevere Gallery has represented Thomas Hoadley,

the eminent US potter, for several years. We have now agreed with him that we will return the balance of pieces to him in the next month or so. This note is to give our followers notice of this event and to give visitors a last chance to look at and maybe purchase one of the finest exponents of the nerikomi technique.

I have had so many conversations about this truly beautiful work which has been admired by everyone who has seen it. I take the view that if there is an Antiques Roadshow in 100 years – and who knows there probably will be – this work will be seen as a wonderful example of 21^st century studio ceramics. If you think that I am overegging the case, come and see his work in the next month or so and make up your own mind.

Stewart   Dickens - Ceramic Curator    

THE CURATOR’S VIEW - June 2014

There is much discussion about the change that we are all experiencing in
the ceramics market.  It is a complex issue that defies ready analysis – one
thing is for sure, it is too simplistic to blame the recession alone, there
are a number of factors. There is undoubtedly a change in public taste; the
market is much more disparate - on line sales, ceramic fairs, open studios
as well as galleries, of which there are fewer sadly. The old collectors who
were the mainstay of the market in the decades up to the turn of the century
are no longer around and the new generation of collectors are much more
eclectic in their interests.

Bevere Gallery is one of the few galleries that represents so many potters.
We believe it is the diversity and quality that makes it an important
destination for anyone with an interest in ceramic art and craft. Our
challenge is to ensure that we continue to show quality makers and maintain
the interest of our visitors. Ceramics have such tactile appeal that we
still believe that seeing, handling and appraising prior to potential
purchase is the important asset of the real, rather than virtual, gallery -
together with thoughtful display and enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff.
 Here we are in the middle of the year already and, as always for the
curator, the realisation of plans put together a year or so ago. The range
and diversity of the work being shown during June is the Bevere signature.

 Firstly, I need to confirm that Part 2 of the Art of Outdoors

show in the
Gallery Outside is due to open on 31st May and will run to 9th July. This
all-ceramic exhibition has stunning work by Patricia Volk,

Shona Leitch,

Claire Ireland

and Alison Jones.

Make sure you do not miss the opportunity
to see, handle, appraise and maybe purchase one of these fine pieces which
will enhance any garden. In the main gallery, we also have small sculptural
pieces by Patricia Volk. This work combines the imaginative use of colour
with shape, balance and elegant abstraction.

 The featured maker new to the Gallery this month is Karen Bunting.

Karen is the current Chair of the Craft Potters Association whose work is functional and subtly decorative. She has a distinctive style and has been an established maker over a number of years.







 Chiu-I-Wu

will be known, to some
of our visitors, for the evocative maiden gracing the courtyard and Gallery
Outside. This month’s feature of her smaller work has many of the elements
in her larger piece and given the growing interest in the authentically
oriental I am sure that you will share my admiration for this work.

 Matt Horne 

has been a regular exhibitor for a number of years. He is a master of
the crystalline glaze technique. He is a fine thrower of pots and his superb
glazing and elegant shapes are mutually enhancing.

Last, but certainly not least, John Maltby

enthusiasts will be pleased to
see new work that we recently acquired from John. This small group of pieces
shows his unique style to best effect and given the opportunity to choose
what we wanted we are very happy with our choices.

Stop Press. Just in a new group of work from Peter Hayes.

There is certainly
an embarrassment of riches this month.

Stuart Dickens
May 24th 2014

THE CURATOR'S VIEW - MAY 2014

Before I embark on our May featured makers I must comment on the Art for Outdoors events. The first show of the season looks stunning and we are all delighted with the serene atmosphere that the space now generates. We take the view that good art can add so much to the garden and this series of shows throughout the summer will do much to convince our visitors that nature, ceramics and sculpture are mutually enhancing. Try and catch the exhibitions if you can (see the exhibitions page for  more details & the dates); take your time however - serenity can enhance your wellbeing.

In the gallery this month we are featuring three very different makers. From Eire, we have Mandy Parslow for the first time.

She is an established figure in Irish ceramics and her work is exhibited worldwide. I saw her recently at Ceramic Art London and her display reaffirmed the decision to invite her to show at Bevere. Her work is subtle, organic and tactile; the pots are redolent of ceramic tradition and yet have a distinctly contemporary feel. I am sure her work will be popular with our visitors.

Jill Fanshawe Kato has been shown at Bevere

Parian Ware by Lara Scobie

over a number of years and the small group of her pieces featured this month is finely decorated. She has been very successful in Japan in recent years and the oriental feel to the wildlife motifs on her vessels is perhaps one of the reasons plus of course the respect which the Japanese have for the skilled ceramicist.

Lara Scobie provides a new body of work which has impressed in previous showings. Her use of Parian clay ensures that her distinctive decorative style is shown to best effect and responds so well to light. Lara’s work is well designed, functional and with a strong contemporary feel.

.

 Carolyn Genders new work will continue to be shown along with her wonderful large garden pieces in the Art for Outdoors show

We also have new pieces from the Leach trained potter Nic Harrison, including five tea bowls marked ‘B’ to indicate that they were made when he undertook a residency at Bevere some time ago.

Once again we have a body of contrasting and high quality ceramics which we are confident you will enjoy. Hope to see you soon!

ART SHOWCASE

Bevere Gallery are delighted to be supporting, for the 2nd year, RGS The Grange's Art Showcase.  On show in the main school hall is work by every child from year Reception to Year Six, each year has produced artwork within a given category such as Viking longships, the weather and Lowry.  The showcase is open for ALL - whether you have children or not at the school - on Wednesday from 8-9am then 3.30-5.30 pm.

It's a feast for the eyes not to be missed !

Zoe Taylor  whose paintings are regularly 
displayed in the Gallery helping to judge the children's work.  
The winners will be announced on Friday

THE CURATOR'S VIEW- APRIL 2014

Spring marks a new season for Bevere Gallery. Not only is there exciting new work, but Easter also brings the opening of the first of three shows in the Gallery Outside over the summer months.
Art for Outdoors will reflect the philosophy of the gallery. We have selected outdoor work by twelve makers who demonstrate a singular voice and high levels of craftsmanship. Each show will have a distinctive character. All the work will be for sale. It is our hope that, over the four months, visitors will see how art can enhance any outdoor space and bring with it as much pleasure as the art and craft that decorates the home. I am looking forward to the opening of what should prove to be a stimulating series of events.

 Carolyn Genders will be one of

the featured makers in the first show and we will be seeing three of her fine outdoor pieces. This work that will bring light and colour to any space can be seen at the opening on 19th April. Concurrently, we will also be featuring a new body of work from Carolyn in the gallery. We are particularly fortunate to have this work as her workshop was recently overwhelmed by a landslip.

Jin Eui Kim is a ceramic artist,

originally from South Korea. Jin graduated from Cardiff School of Art - Design with an MA and PhD in Ceramics, during which he studied the illusory effects of the application of black through to white to three-dimensional surfaces. If that sounds a little academic, wait until you see the wonderful pieces of this fine maker. This is the first time we have shown Jin’s work and I have no doubt that it will generate considerable interest. It would be good to have your feedback.

We are also showing a new body of pots from master potter Chris Carter.

I have written much about Chris over the years and his work never ceases to stimulate. I am reminded why ceramics are such an important aspect of our cultural life every time I hold one of his pots in my hand. This new group will be very different from the last pots we showed a few months ago. Chris never ceases to create new shapes and textures even though he has been a professional potter for over forty years.

Barry Stedman has many admirers as evidenced by his previous sales in the gallery. His use of colour in the abstract decoration of his vessels is one reason why his work has captured our visitors’ interest; the other is the presence which his decoration generates, whether they are tea bowls or his larger pieces.

Whilst we have themed shows from time to time, it is the featured maker programme which is designed to provide vivid contrasts in style and technique and to reinforce the incredible range and diversity of ceramic art and craft. If you enjoy the shows as much as we get pleasure from setting up each event, then we will have done our job well.
I have also had confirmation that we will have new work from  Bridget Drakeford

 and Emily Myers.

This will be a special month for all those who love ceramics of the highest quality.

 Stuart Dickens

THE CURATOR’S VIEW – March 2014

An EXHIBITION OF THE LIFE OF ERIC JAMES MELLON- AN ARTIST POTTER-

This tribute is a celebration of a fine artist and a good friend of Bevere Gallery.

It is still difficult to believe that one of the original voices of ceramic art is no longer with us. Eric James Mellon died on January 14^th and to commemorate his life we are holding a small exhibition of his ceramics and prints. This is all we have available at the present time but we hope to be able to show a larger body of work later in the year. He was a good friend and will be long remembered for his innovation, unfailing creativity and good humour.

I am delighted that we are showing the work of Lowri Davies

 for the first time as a featured maker. Her distinctive work brings together contemporary and traditional influences. Lowri’s Welsh roots are at the heart of her craft. She is aware of the Welsh heritage that is Nantgawr and Swansea potteries as well as bringing her skilful draughtsmanship to her decoration. Her work is guaranteed to raise a smile - a ceramic harbinger of spring no less!

Graham Williamson  brings high level craft skills to functional ware and this is evident in his latest collection to be shown at Bevere. The use of unusual colour combinations combined with that tactile quality we associate with well-designed pots will please many of our visitors.

Alex McCarthy is one of a number of Graduate Show alumni whom we have continued to represent. He is showing a new body of work

which demonstrates how talented makers mature and develop over time. The pieces are of consistent high quality and the use of lustre trickles, as he calls them; add a luxurious feel to each vessel.

As always, we try to bring diversity and contrast to the gallery. Enjoy.

Stuart Dickens - Ceramic Curator

THE CURATOR'S VIEW - February 2014

After the buzz and energy generated by a popular and successful Graduate Show in January, we know that February is always challenging. Nevertheless, I believe we have met the challenge with a group of makers with contrasting and striking approaches to their work.

This month we are delighted to welcome for the first time,Maria Wojdat whose elegant designs and the use of vibrant colours will undoubtedly bring light to the darker days of winter. Colour has become one of the features of the current market. Different colours evoke different moods and provide decorative exclamation marks. This work is beautifully made and I hope that you enjoy her work as much as we do.

 Clare Crouchman has exhibited several times before, but I particularly like the direction she is now taking her wall pieces  Those that have had a glimpse of these pieces have been impressed and also acknowledge the successful transition and development of her work.
. Those familiar with her work will remember the symmetry of her pattern making. What we now see in what she calls the ‘Tree Series’ is more organic with a striking use of tree imagery.

Thomas Hopkins – Gibson exhibited in one of our earlier graduate shows. He is an unusual maker as he works in clay and wood. His ceramic decoration also reflects wood grain and his work was very popular. It is a pleasure to have Thomas back here again and to see the way in which he has developed since we last showed a body of his work which must be about two years ago now.

His talent was recognized in a show in America of Scottish made craft and as a result landed a contract with Calvin Klein - good news indeed, but clearly an added pressure for any studio potter.

I have already expressed the gallery’s sadness at the news of the death of Eric James Mellon. We have decided to hold a small show of his fine work next month to commemorate the life of an exceptional artist/ potter.  Try not to miss it.

Stuart Dickens