The Curator's View - April 2015

 

THE CURATOR’S VIEW – April 2015

Diversity has become an overworked word in the gallery – at least by me – because it succinctly describes the ethos of Bevere in demonstrating, month on month, the almost limitless creativity of the ceramic universe. This month is a classic example. The styles and approaches of the three/four makers are markedly different but they share one important characteristic; the passion with which they work with the same base materials to produce pieces that are distinctly theirs.

Paul Smith is a ceramic sculptor who is new to Bevere. His skilled and bold modelling produces a sideways look at the relationship between animals and humans.  Sister Wendy Beckett described his work as ‘

magical art, pure, humorous and strong’. His individual pieces communicate his intentions so clearly and I particularly like the elegance of line in his work. Ceramic sculpture has grown in popularity and it is the ability to communicate at different levels that attracts so many of our visitors.

Robin Welch is an elder statesman of the world of abstract expressionism in ceramics. We are proud to have shown his work over a number of years. - the passage of time affects even the most creative and we are delighted to have another group of pots from him. Hope you enjoy as much as we do.

We have a new body of work selected by us from his workshop. He is now producing less pieces than in the past.

Wied and Deiderik Heyning

work wonders in fine porcelain. The quality of the potting and decoration is very fine and it will be good to see them back after a long absence. When they were first shown at Bevere the work was very well received and if you have never seen their work before you are in for a treat. There decorative style varies from abstract / painterly, engraved to botanical free-hand design. It is this versatility that gives voice to their creativity. 

 Stuart Dickens

CURATOR'S VIEW - March 2015

There is a particular symbolism attached to achieving ‘three score years and ten’ and in the arts it has even greater significance. Not only has a milestone birthday been reached, but most artists and craftsmen will continue to create with barely a thought given to retirement – unlike most of us. Their creative energy remains; the desire to make may be constrained by the vagaries of the aging process but it is never extinguished.

Creating is about being as much as it is about doing. So it is with Geoffrey Swindell, whose 70^th year and a career spanning decades are being celebrated this month. We are delighted to host this special event

Geoffrey is a ceramic miniaturist; as with painters who work on a small scale, he is admired for his self-evident skills in making such exquisitely crafted pieces and for his imaginative and boundlessly creative decoration. This distinct voice in studio ceramics continues to impress and people discovering his work for the first time will stop and wonder at the diversity and originality of his pots.

The show opens on 7th March and between 1100 and 1400 Geoffrey will be at the gallery and more than happy to answer questions about his work and the potter’s life. I do hope that you will be able to join us for what promises to be an exceptional exhibition of his unique work.

An exceptional event needs an exceptional cast and alongside Geoffrey’s work we are delighted to feature John Higgins.

It is some time since we have shown his constantly evolving ceramics and we look forward to seeing his most recent pieces. John has also ploughed a singular furrow and is amongst that small body of studio potters whose work maintains an edgy contemporaneity.

We also have new smaller pieces from Peter Hayes a regular favourite with our visitors. Peter has a never ending well spring of creativity

and his recent work in India has added new dimensions to his materials, designs and making processes.

Taken together we have a exciting show for you this month and it is difficult to imagine someone with any interest in ceramics not being stimulated by the quality of the work and the creative spirit of these great makers.

THE CURATOR’S VIEW – February 2015

After the buzz surrounding the Graduate Show - our opening event of the year - we always need an exciting group of featured makers in February to sustain interest and to provide several good reasons to keep visiting Bevere as the year advances. This month’s makers, two of whom have never shown at Bevere before (yes, there are still potters that haven’t), do just that. Each month, we try to ensure that diversity and contrast, two of Bevere’s defining characteristics, are sustained; so it is that we have a talented ceramic sculptor, a maker who has mastered the making of refined raku ware and the doyen of print on clay.

Jane Muir

 makes idiosyncratic painted figures which offer a whimsical take on the world. There has been an increasing interest in sculptural ceramics and once again this is because there are a number of original voices which produce work of continuing interest and often raise a smile. Jane is one of them and I am pleased that she will be showing her work in the gallery and outside pieces in the courtyard. Jane studied at Central St Martins and the Royal College of Art and has exhibited widely here in the UK and abroad.

Debbie Barber

originally trained in textiles and only later trained in ceramics which has been her life -long interest. She uses naked raku firing techniques to produce decorative wares which demonstrate the early influence of fabric design. It was the quality of the decoration which first attracted me to her work and I am sure that you will enjoy and appreciate her strong and confident designs. She says that she enjoys the hands on element of raku which demands the close attention of the potter throughout the process from start to finish.

Paul Scott has shown at Bevere before. He is one of the leading exponents of print on clay techniques and has written extensively on the subject.

He is one of those makers that brings together contemporary and traditional aesthetics to produce pieces that are uniquely his own. I have admired his work for a long time. There are seminal qualities here which are the hallmark of the thinking potter – that he is an academic may be a factor. His work is redolent of times past whilst clearly looking forward. I know that many visitors will enjoy this work which is predominantly blue on white. He has just returned from New York where he has been exhibiting.

So that’s February. I hope you agree that we have just the right makers to maintain the momentum that the Graduate Show has generated.

The Year At A Glance In the Gallery

TWELVE THOUSAND AND COUNTING

TWELVE THOUSAND AND COUNTING

From time to time, we have marked significant gallery milestones.  On this occasion, I am pleased to highlight the 12000^th piece that we have shown over the past nine years. It is particularly appropriate that the work should be made by one of the exhibitors in our 9^th Annual Graduate Show which opens on 10^th January 2015; an emerging talent that we hope will continue to develop and grow in reputation.

It is an impressive, overprinted porcelain sculpture by Alison Shanks. Kate Moss Idol is a classic graduation piece; bold - in your face even – demanding our attention. I suspect that no-one will be indifferent about it. The work is lit by LED and UV lights to give an aura to the bust of this famous fashion model in a way which seems entirely right. It is also interesting that Alison has shown a split image which suggests – at least as I see it – that celebrity has a public and private face. You may take a different view; that is the joy of art.

I am delighted that the milestone has occurred at this time when we look to the future of ceramics and reflect on continuing human creativity. Enjoy!

Stuart Dickens

Ceramic Curator

Curator's View - JANUARY 2015

THE CURATOR’S VIEW - January 2015

Happy New Year! 

We embark on another year of exciting ceramic art and craft. New Year is frequently perceived as the time for renewal and fresh beginnings - although it can often feel like a triumph of hope over expectation. No such feelings here as we launch the year with our Annual Ceramic Graduate Show. It is already evident that we have selected exhibitors who will make their way in studio ceramics. The work submitted by the chosen graduates demonstrates the creativity and diversity which is the well spring of the craft and the hallmark of Bevere Gallery.

It would be invidious to pick out one maker from another. They have been selected because of their impact on us when we saw them at New Designers 2014 after graduation. For me, the initial response – intellectually and emotionally - is a good guide and these ten exhibitors tick the right boxes. Incidentally, I would not be so arrogant as to say that these are the best of the 2014 crop however, as in previous years, they are amongst the most stimulating, skilled and creative.  Some already have great design skills and clearly studio ceramicists/designers are making an important contribution to the wider commercial sector.

One name I can mention is Neill Curran. He won the visitors vote as the favourite in the 2014 show. He has continued to make and exhibit and we are delighted to see his work as it has developed one year on.

Once again we will be asking everyone who sees the show to name their favourite maker. The one with the most votes will continue to show at Bevere over the coming year. Additionally a voting paper will be drawn from the many that will be completed during the three weeks of the show and the lucky individual’s vote will earn them a £100 voucher to spend at Bevere. Yet another good reason to come and see the show, which will open on Saturday 10^th and run until Saturday 31^st January.

We look forward to seeing you, as will those makers who are able to be with us for the opening.

Stuart Dickens 

Ceramic Curator

Richard Godfrey

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It is with great sadness that we have heard the news of the death on Saturday 13th December of eminent ceramicist Richard Godfrey.

He will be remembered in many different ways by so many people. Primarily, it will be his brilliantly innovative pots and immaculate decorative technique that will remain a permanent reminder of his great talent. His latest and sadly his last work, is amongst his best. It is extraordinary that serious illness should have been the trigger for his most inspirational pieces. Richard’s trademark use of colour and remarkable draughtsmanship has produced works which have been universally admired.

More than this, he had an exceptional personality; unfailingly cheerful and positive, he was an inspirational figure who will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Studio ceramics has lost one of its elite makers.

We have been privileged to represent him over the years and he will remain in our hearts for many more.

Words Richard said about his work:-
"The inspiration for my work comes mostly from the coastline and countryside around my studio. Ideas for forms are often derived from things that I pick up on the beach. Shells, bits of wood, plastic bottles, in fact just about anything. I walk a great deal and usually find things in the hedgerows to inspire me. I love natural forms like insects, seeds and berries. My studio is right on the cliffs here in south Devon, in a very unspoilt area. The light is wonderful and I find a great deal of intense colour throughout the year. I enjoy the changing seasons as each brings it’s own beauty.

 The sunrises in February are often spectacular; the wild flowers in May and June create great sweeps of colour across the cliffs, the berries and bramble leaves of autumn provide intense focal points. I take a lot of photographs, both slides and prints and often use these as source material from which to draw. The drawing process for me is a way of distilling the essence of what I have seen, looking for whatever it was that touched my button, in order that I might use it to touch someone else".