A group of images from Georgia’s latest successful solo show at the unusual but dramatic location of Arnos Vale cemetery, in front of the Spielman Centre, Bristol
Archive for the 'Exhibition Reviews' Category
In the spring of 2010 Maggie Barnes was awarded an Arts Council Research & Development Grant. The intention was to mark 30 years of practice by re-visiting a technique she’d experimented with 20 years earlier whilst living and working in Germany.
Beyond the research period, a body of work is to be developed to complement her well-established white porcelain production, and move studio practice forward into a fourth decade of development.
The process is NERIKOMI, a Japanese technique involving the lamination of stained porcelain slabs to create intricately patterned blocks and sheets of clay which are then cut and re-assembled to form decorative vessels. Although the process is historic, the nature of assembly means that the maker is able to produce his/her unique interpretations.
It’s important to note that the emphasis of this experimental work is on process; with faults, failures, and downright disasters shown alongside early successes. Maggie believes that to fail is a necessary part of the learning experience, and that lasting skills are acquired through hard work, long hours, and many disappointments.
The various outcomes from this intensive period of exploration are to be showcased in September 2012 at the Mercer Art Gallery, Swan Road, Harrogate, where Maggie will give an illustrated talk later in the autumn. (see events listings)
Preview September 21st. A small publication recording this period of Research & Development can be ordered direct from Maggie priced £5 postage free or from the Gallery shop.
The Potters annual “Heaven on Earth” The International Ceramic Fair – Oldenburg has – once again – been a great success.
Although the forecast predicted rain and showers over northern Germany the International Ceramic Fair took place on the beautifully renewed Chateau square untroubled by any bad weather last weekend. There is hardly any other place in Germany where one can marvel at this material transformed into a diversity of crafted and artistic forms at such a high level. 120 ceramists from all over Germany, 10 from other European countries and also from Japan showed an excellent overview of contemporary ceramics. Once again about 60.000 connoisseurs, enthusiasts, experts and laymen from near and far took the opportunity to visit this open air gallery offering a huge variety of beautiful pieces made of clay.
The one day opening session – the “Ceramic Portrait“ a lecture and demonstration – presented two outstanding international ceramic artists –John Higgins from Great Britain and Rafa Pérez from Spain. 36 participants booked this singular exciting event.
About 1600 visitors viewed the special exhibitions in the in the Oldenburg County Museum for Art and Cultural History:
These were the solo exhibition of last year’s winners of the NEW CERAMICS-Award, Martin Möhwald and Nicole Toss, and the theme exhibition/competition where the fairs participants demonstrated their skill and creativity to the ambiguous topic of “ipot”. The winners of this competition were, Chiharu Koda from Japan (3. prize 250 €), to Aire Goutt-Allikmets from France (2. prize 500 €) and to Haneke Engel from the Netherlands (1. prize 1000 €).
Ute Großmann from Dresden in Germany won the Public Prize.
The jury of the NEW CERAMICS-Award – Dr. Michael Reinbold (Landesmuseum for Art and Cultural History Oldenburg), Dr. Josef Straßer (Die Neue Sammlung, Munich), Marta Donaghey (Contemporary Ceramics London/Craft Potters Association), ceramist Martin McWilliam (Chairman of the Werkschule) and Bernd Pfannkuche (Publisher of the magazine NEUE KERAMIK/NEW CERAMICS) – also had no easy choice. This highly regarded award comes with 1000 € prize money donated by Bernd Pfannkuche and goes to Let de Kok from the Netherland. We are looking forward to her exhibition in the Landesmuseum for Art and Cultural History – Oldenburg next year!
Beate Anneken, Künstlerische Leiterin
WERKSCHULE – WERKSTATT FÜR KUNST UND KULTURARBEIT e.V., Hochheider Weg 169, 26125 Oldenburg, Tel.: 0441/382930, Fax: 0441/382742 www.werkschule.de, E-Mail anneken@werkschule.de
Following Ashraf’s completion of his MA at the Royal College of Art, he offers this body of new work at the ‘triple C’ in Russell Street in London. Ashraf comments on his new work: “My work is concerned with exploring form through scale, colour, texture and material…..” Having seen his new work at the RCA Degree show, I can confirm that it is well worth a visit to see this new show. Some examples of his new work are below:
8/9/2011 – saw the show last night -confirmed my earlier thoughts, well worth a visit, also chance to visit the British Museum opposite – and a coffee in Ruskin’s in Museum Street is good!
Sponsored by the Billmeir Charitable Trust, Rising Stars is our annual exhibition and educational event to support, exhibit and educate the art, craft and design stars of the future. Rising Stars closed on Saturday 7 May. The New Ashgate Gallery Angels voted for their ‘Rising Star’ of 2011 over the course of the exhibition.
They chose ceramic sculptor Orli Ivanov.
Orli will receive a prize of £300.
Gallery Director Joanne McCarthy says “We are delighted that the Gallery Angels have supported us again and supported this wonderful opportunity for young and emerging artists and makers. Orli is a deserving winner, we spoke today and she said winning the prize was ‘amazing’.”
Joanne further explains, “The Rising Stars programme would not be possible without the support of the Billmeir Charitable Trust who have helped us yet again to present the very best of emerging creative talent and to give us an opportunity to present an education programme to the exhibitors and local students from the UCA, Farnham.”
This promises to be a good exhibition with new work from Rebecca Harvey and Louisa Taylor at Holt in Norfolk, England.
Rebecca Harvey’s soda fired work has evolved from studies that range from 18C Creamware, Japanese ceramics and 1920s Enamelware through to architectural designs. The strong but simple sense of form in these traditions is translated into a range of highly practical and individual pieces. She has received many awards for her work, including a Crafts Council setting up award and the LadyCharlotte Fraser award at the Royal College of Art. (Rebecca’s profile and image gallery is shown on studiopottery.co.uk)
Louisa Taylor makes multifunctional tableware ideal for contemporary living. Each piece is individually wheel-thrown in porcelain. and fired to 1280°C, which makes her tableware strong and durable. Louisa graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2006 with a Masters degree in Ceramics & Glass and received a Development Award from the Crafts Council in 2008. Louisa is a lecturer in ceramics on the MDes Materials Practice course at the University of Brighton.
There are also paintings by Debbie George – see Bircham gallery website for more details of these.
A remarkable ceramicist, not well known in the UK, but since her death in 2009 ‘the subject of increased homage’ – see article on Galerie Besson’s website by David Caméo, Directeur Général de Sèvres – Cité de la Céramique. This exhibition is a rare opportunity to see both older pieces and the latest work completed by Jacqueline Lerat before her death.
Not quite all ceramics, but enamel by one of our ”potters” Ed Silverton, whose work I admire! Andy McInnes visited the show at wolverhampton and had the following comments:
‘If, like me, your thoughts on Enamel work were Jewelry, bowls (which are here) be prepared to have your visual senses given a real treat, the work of Ed Silverton in particular was worth the admission fee, if there had been one! Ed has three large pieces, that vary in size and are shaped like cacti (see image)! A fantastic exhibition and one that should be seen by as many people as possible, certainly the best Exhibition I’ve seen for a long time.
Last chance to see it at wolverhampton – Now it is on at Cheltenham Art Gallery, Gloucestershire 14 November 2009 - 24 January 2010′- Andy McInnes
We visited the new show, promoted by John Rastall of Harlequin gallery at the Duncan Cambell Fine Art Gallery in Thackeray Street, just off Kensington High Street. There was (and is until 25/10) some tempting new work on display and for all who like Jim’s work – try and get there. Jim was telling me how pleased he is with the kiln he built at Lessonhall and this exhibition certainly demonstrates that! I have attached a number of images taken by Richard Dee, my son who also designed my website.
Stephen Dee
