Ceramike - Background Information
 

Exhibitions Visited

Mike Dodd bottle vase Mark Griffiths floor vase Jim Malone storage jar

 

The Bowl - The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester - July 4th - Aug 1st 2010

Featuring the work of Matthew Blakeley, Sheila Casson, Jane Cox, Jack Doherty, Thomas Hoadley, Peter Lane, John Leach, Jim Malone, Phil Rogers and the Australian Steve Harrison.

Curtis Red - Rufford Craft Centre, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire - June 15th - July 4th 2010

A major exhibition of work by Eddie Curtis including some very large handbuilt and wheel thrown pots shown alongside work by Margaret Curtis.

Celebrating 25 Years - The Gallery Upstairs - Henley-in-Arden - Summer 2010

This year's Summer Exhibition at The Gallery Upstairs in Henley-in-Arden marks 25 years of exhibitions and features paintings, ceramics, glass, sculpture and woodwork.

A Japanese Passion - The Pottery of Edward Hughes - Manchester Metropolitan University - April to June 2010

A truly wonderful exhibition featuring the life and work of Edward Hughes who lost his life in a climbing accident in 2006.

Midland Potters' Association - The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester - Spring 2010

Celebrating 30 years of the Midland Potters' Association and featuring the work of 19 current members and alumni.

Jason Wason - Newlyn Art Gallery - Spring 2010

The Newlyn Art Gallery provides a great exhibition space with an abundance of the natural light that this area is famous for. Jason's sculptural vessels, some with a metallic lustre seem to glow in the sunshine.

Janet Leach : Her Life and Work - Leach Pottery, St. Ives - Spring/Summer 2010

An exhibition featuring around sixty of Janet's pots accompanied by a timeline display of text and images which documenting her life and work.

The Flower Show - Leach Pottery Cube, St. Ives - Spring 2010

Features work by Nic Collins, Lisa Katzenstein, Amanda Brier, Katerina Evangelidou, Jonathan Phillips, Simon Hulbert and Whichford Pottery. The exhibition is enhanced by Hiromi Bunday's Ikebana.

Figuratively Speaking - The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester - Spring 2010

Featuring sculptural work by Michael Flynn, Mo Jupp, Christy Keeney, John Maltby, Claire Murray and Emma Rodgers.

Modern British Potters - Goldmark Gallery Uppingham, Rutland - February 2010

Modern British Potters features the work of 24 of Britain's leading potters. In alphabetical order they are Gordon Baldwin, Clive Bowen, Sandy Brown, Neil Brownsword, Carina Ciscato, Claire Curneen, Ken Eastman, Philip Eglin, Daniel Fisher, Michael Flynn, Geoffrey Fuller, Jane Hamlyn, Walter Keeler, Dan Kelly, Jennifer Lee, Carol McNicoll, Jim Malone, Sara Radstone, James Robson, Emma Rodgers, Phil Rogers, Daniel Smith, Annie Turner and Tina Vlassopulos.

Winter Exhibition - The Gallery Upstairs, Henley-in-Arden - November 2009

The 2009 Winter Exhibition at The Gallery Upstairs in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire features the paintings, ceramics and sculpture of over 40 makers and runs from the 10th to 28th of November.

Clive Bowen - Goldmark Gallery, Uppingham, Rutland - November 2009

Clive Bowen works in the English slipware tradition producing a wide range of colourful earthenware pots from his wood fired kiln in deepest Devon.

Exhibited at the Goldmark Gallery are 218 pots ranging from simple tiles through to majestic lidded jars and huge platters.

British Studio Pottery - The Collection of a Discerning Academic - Autumn 2009

The Monnow Valley Arts Centre is a little gem tucked away in the Welsh borderland near Abergavenny :difficult to find but well worth the effort. Their Autumn 2009 exhibition features 64 pots from the collection of an anonymous academic including works by a number of major potters including Bernard Leach, William Staite-Murray, Lucie Rie and Hans Coper.

Legacy - Leach Pottery Cube, St. Ives - September 2009

This exhibition at the Leach Pottery in St. Ives shows the work of 6 potters whose work has been influenced by the philosophy of Bernard Leach.

Jack Doherty - National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny, Ireland - August - September 2009

This major solo exhibition of vessels at the National Craft Gallery of Ireland in Kilkenny brings Jack back to his roots.

Concordia - David and Margaret Frith- Rufford Country Park, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire - June-July 2009

David and Margaret Frith have been working together for over 45 years. Concordia is a major exhibition of their work at Rufford Craft Centre.

Ken Matsuzaki - Goldmark Gallery, Uppingham, Rutland - June 2009

This exhibition of the work of Japanese potter Ken Matsuzaki is a joy to behold with forms and glazes not often seen in the UK.

Jill Fanshawe Kato - The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester - June 2009

Jill Fanshawe Kato's pots are decorated with designs that are inspired by nature. She trained as a potter in Japan and has held many successful exhibitions over there. Around 50 pots are included in the Bevere exhibition.

Summer Exhibition - The Gallery Upstairs, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire - June 2009

2009's Summer exhibition brings together the work of over 40 artists, ceramicists and sculptors with 677 items in total displayed. I visited on a lovely sunny day and so was able to take time to enjoy the wonderful garden where many pieces were exhibited.

South Wales Potters Association - The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester - May 2009

The SWPA was established way back in 1964 and has over a hundred members. The Bevere exhibition features the work of 15 members

A Celebration of Woodfiring - Octagon Gallery at Whichford Pottery, Cotswolds - Spring 2009

Svend Bayer, Charles Bound, Ben Brierley, Nic Collins, Ray Finch, David Garland, Mark Griffiths, John Jelfs, Gas Kimishima, Adam Keeling, Jim and Dominique Keeling, Stephen Parry, Phil Rogers and Robert Sanderson took part in a special woodfiring weekend and accompanying exhibition.

Lisa Hammond - Goldmark Gallery, Uppingham, Rutland - May 2009

Top quality venue, potter and pots, a really special exhibition.

Hamada St. Ives - The Founding of the Leach Pottery 1920 - Leach Pottery, St. Ives - Spring 2009

On August 24th 1920 Hamada Shoji and his friend Bernard Leach arrived in St. Ives to establish a pottery. This exhibition shows early work by Hamada, Leach and Cardew together with pots that may have influenced their work and a fascinating commentary describes the early years at the Leach Pottery.

Tomoo Hamada, Leach Pottery, St. Ives - Spring 2009

In March 2009 Tomoo made the same journey from his pottery in Mashiko, Japan to make some pots and open his exhibition at the restored Leach Pottery.

John Maltby, Rufford Ceramic Centre - Spring 2009

An earthmarque exhibition featuring 140 of John Maltby's sculptural ceramics.

Together, The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester - April 2009

A themed exhibition featuring the work of pairs of artists and makers who have shared their experiences and studios over many years.

Ruthanne Tudball, La Borne, France - March-April 2009

A major solo exhibition, Ruthanne has sent in some images of the exhibition.

The Gallery Upstairs, Henley-in-Arden, Reg Moon - A Celebration of Life - March 2009

A celebration of the life of Reg Moon who established Torquil Pottery in Henley nearly 50 years ago.

Paul Rice Gallery, London - Recent Aquisitions - February-March 2009

Something for everyone, a wide range of potters will be exhibited.

Mike Dodd - Oakwood Ceramics at the Thoresby Gallery, nr. Ollerton, Nottinghamshire - November 2008

A good number of people attended the preview of Oakwood Ceramics' latest exhibition. Mike Dodd is one Britain's most respected traditional potters and it was good to see a selection of around 60 pots including some salt glazed work fired over at Marcus Mahoney's pottery in Ireland.

Winter Exhibition - The Gallery Upstairs, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire

The Gallery Upstairs has two major exhibitions each year, one in Summer the other in Winter. Each features the work of a wide range of contemporary art and craft and there is always a good selection of ceramics.

Phil Rogers - Goldmark Gallery, Uppingham, Rutland - November 2008

A Phil Rogers exhibition is always something to look forward to and the latest at the Goldmark Gallery does not disappoint. The main exhibition of 180 pots is enhanced by two display panels where 100 yunomi and 100 guinomi are displayed making this Phil's biggest show to date.

Form, Tone Texture - The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester - Autumn 2008

Form, Tone and Texture features sculptural ceramics by Regina Heinz, Tim Andrews, Matthew Chambers and Lisa Ellul exhibited alongside artwork by local artists Ian Cruickshank, Rod Willis, Trevor Smith, Linda Judkins, Beth Fletcher, Sarah Whapples, Jules Smith and Thelma Ayers.

David Frith - Oakwood Ceramics at the Thoresby Gallery, nr. Ollerton, Nottinghamshire - Autumn 2008

A wide range of pots from small yunomis and lidded boxes through to wonderful large chargers and a couple of huge wheel thrown pieces show the tremendous ability of David Frith who with his wife Margaret established Brookhouse Pottery in Norh Wales over 40 years ago.

Clive Bowen - Octagon Gallery at Whichford Pottery - Autumn 2008

Clive Bowen's wonderful traditional slipware is fashioned from local Fremington clay and fired in a wood burning kiln. His pots fill the Octagon with an array of rich autumnal colours just right for teh current season.

A Harvest of Jugs - Barnstaple Museum - Autumn 2008

A rare opportunity to see some of the best of North Devon's harvest jugs.

Leach Pots - Tremayne Applied Arts, St. Ives, Cornwall - September 13th 2008

Tremayne Applied Arts specialise in twentieth century design and always have some interesting studio pottery in stock. At the 2008 St. Ives September Festival, a selection of Leach Pottery Standard Ware was exhibited on the second Saturday.

An English Tea Ceremony - Leach Pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall - Summer 2008

An English Tea Ceremony - Contemporary Pots for the Tea Table includes the work of eight potters and features some Jack Doherty's first pots from the new kilns at the Leach Pottery.

Peter Swanson - St. Ives Ceramics, St. Ives, Cornwall - September 2008

The show coincides with the St. Ives September Festival, opening on September 6th and running until October 3rd. Tenmoku and ash glazed pots from Peter's gas kiln together with wood fired pots from his anagama kiln.

Summer Exhibition - The Gallery Upstairs, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire - July 2008

Each year their Summer exhibition features the work of many artists, ceramicists and sculptors, included in 2008 were over 650 items from 40 makers. As always the exhibition flows over into the garden behind the gallery where many sculptural pieces were displayed to great effect.

Peter Hayes - Rufford Craft Cantre, Nottinghamshire - June 2008

It was good to see the Rufford exhibition space hosting another great ceramics exhibition. After firing his raku forms, Peter develops their surface textures with techniques such as lengthy submergence water, sanding and burnishing. The work exhibited ranged from small burnished forms through to large totems and a wonderful water feature in the form of a large raku disc form with a central turquioise resin band.

Malone - Goldmark Gallery, Uppingham, Rutland - May 2008

A truly wonderful exhibition featuring 180 pots by master potter Jim Malone, the most impressive display of Jim's work tht I have ever seen.

Hamada Shoji, Shimaoka Tatsuzo and Hamada Shinsaku - Phil Rogers - Marston Pottery - March 2008

Full marks must go to Phil and Lynn Rogers for their efforts in staging this wonderful exhibition of pottery by Hamada Shoji, his apprentice Shimaoka Tatsuzo and his eldest son Hamada Shinsaku. Long will I treasure the experience of being able to touch and feel these very special pots, to see so many pieces in one place outside Japan was a rare privilege.

Phil Rogers - St. Ives Ceramics - March 2008

A selection of Phil's latest work was exhibited at John Bedding's St. Ives Ceramics gallery in March 2008. The exhibition was scheduled to coincide with the re-opening of the Leach Pottery and provided visiting studio pottery enthusiasts with a welcome extra attraction to see during their visit to St. Ives.

Collector's Choice - Oakwood Gallery, Thorseby, Notts - March 2008

Collector's Choice looks back over the last twenty years and features the work of a number of Britain's top flight potters, the pots are complimented by the Leach inspired calligraphy of Andy Moore

Goldmark Gallery Potter's Day with Phil Rogers Film Premiere, February 2008

A wonderful Potter’s Day at the Goldmark Gallery in Uppingham, Rutland. A mixed show of pots Phil Rogers, Lisa Hammond, Svend Bayer, Mike Dodd, Ken Matsuzaki and Clive Bowen was complimented by the premiere of the Goldmark sponsored film profile of Phil Rogers and talks by Phil and collector Alistair Hawtin.

Totally Tea Bowls III - Oakwood Gallery, Thoresby, Notts - October 2007

The third Totally Tea Bowls exhibition staged by the Oakwood Ceramics team. Visitors to the preview had the privilege of learning about the Japanese tea ceremony from potter Yo Thom who resplendent in her kimono made Japanese green tea and explained the significance of the ceremony and the bowls.

Jim Malone - Bevere Gallery, Worcester - October 2007

A great set of pots from one of Britain's foremost traditional potters.

William Marshall - Bettles Gallery, Ringwood - September 2007

This sellout exhibition features work from what turned out to be Bill Marshall's last firing in December 2006 before his death in May 2007. Bill was taken on as an apprentice at the Leach Pottery by Bernard Leach way back in 1938 and was later to become the mainstay of the pottery before leaving in 1977 to set up he own workshop in Lelant just up the road from St. Ives where he worked with his son Andrew.

Peter Beard - Rufford Ceramic Centre, Notts - May to July 2007

A collection of 80 recent works featuring ceramic vessels together with ceramic, stone and bronze sculptural forms.

The CPA at 50 - The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester - June/July 2007

A celebration of the first 50 years of the Craftsman Potters Association. The exhibition features the work of 40 CPA members and is accompanied by a sculpture trail around the gardens with large scale work by 20 ceramicists.

Phil Rogers - The Gallery at Bevere, Worcester - May 2007

I agree with Henry Sandon who opened this exhibition, Phil Rogers is one of our best studio potters. His work is continually evolving and in this exhibition he shows nearly a hundred pots which demonstrate his skills to good effect.

The team at Bevere are working hard to become a top class ceramics venue. Their exhibitions are beautifully staged and future ceramics events at Bevere include >The CPA at 50 with over 40 CPA members participating and a Jim Malone exhibition.

Bevere is just a couple of miles from junction 6 of the M5, well worth the short detour if you are passing.

Pots From France - Rufford Ceramic Centre, Notts - March 2007

An exhibition of contemporary French ceramics curated by the Pots From France team of Jack Blackburn and Margot Bartlett.

Mark Griffiths and Peter Swanson - March 2007

A joint exhibition featuring salt glazed stoneware from Mark Griffiths and ash glazed stoneware by Peter Swanson

Janet Leach Retrospective - Crafts Study Centre, Farnham - March 2007

A major retrospective exhibition and symposium covering the life and work of Bernard Leach's wife Janet.

Mark Griffiths - Christmas Exhibition - December 2006

Mark Griffiths is a highly skilled potter and woodturner based in Shropshire, England. His Christmas Exhibition features new salt glazed wood fired pots together with bowls turned from local woods.

Joanna Howells, Jack Doherty, Chris Keenan - Bevere Gallery, Worcester - November 2006

An exhibition of beautiful porcelain pots by Joanna Howells, Jack Doherty and Chris Keenan accompanied by still life oil paintings by Chris Howells.

Jim Malone - Oakwood Ceramics, Thoresby, Notts - October 2006

Jim Malone is one of Britain's most respected studio potters and this, his first exhibition for a couple of years did not disappoint. A wonderful collection of 67 pots were exhibited by the Oakwood Gallery and most were eagerly snapped up by enthusiastic and knowledgable collectors at the very well attended preview event.

The pots formed the first firing of Jim's new two chamber climbing kiln built by with his own hands at his Lessonhall Pottery in the English Lake District.

The exhibition was beautifully staged and the Oakwood team are to be congratulated for providing a first class venue.

Ruthanne Tudball - Bettles Gallery, Ringwood, Hampshire - April/May 2006

Ruthanne's soda glazed stoneware is complimented by Julie Herring's seascape paintings in the new Bettles Gallery in Ringwood. A major inspiration for Ruthanne's contorted pots is the creative forces of nature that she remembers from her childhood in California. Unlike most potters Ruthanne's pots are finished on the wheel rather than being assembled when hardened off. Fifty three pots were exhibited, mostly domestic ware - bottles, platters, jugs, teapots, dishes and lidded jars with tea ceremony yunomis and chawans.

Lisa Hammond - Oakwood Ceramics, Thoresby, Notts - March 2006

After a number of successful exhibitions featuring the work of potters such as Jim Malone, Phil Rogers, Mike Dodd and Nick Rees the Oakwood Gallery in Edwinstowe, Notts closed in 2004. Since then David Binch has developed a successful website - Oakwood Ceramics. This has been good news for studio pottery collectors all over the world but until now the special atmosphere of an Oakwood exhibition provided by David, Ausma and his team has been sorely missed.

Until couple of years ago Lisa Hammond specialised in soda glazed domestic ware. In 2004 she took the opportunity to work in Japan with shino expert Rizu Takahashi and this exhibition shows how Lisa's work has moved on in both form and decoration. Included were a range of traditional Japanese drinking vessels, some specially commissioned for the event, lidded caddies, bottles, jars and vases. The exhibition was beautifully staged, the minimalistic setting providing just the right background for Lisa's work.

The preview was very well attended and the profusion of red spots soon confirmed that Lisa's pots met with widespread approval.

I am already looking forward to the Jim Malone exhibition in October!

Reuben Batterham - Bath November 2005

Reuben Batterham's Poterie D'Aval is near St. Claude in Eastern France. This exhibition was very much a family event, the venue was the doctor's surgery where his sister works, the surgery buildings being designed by his brother. The influence of his father Richard is evident in Reuben's ash and salt glazed stoneware. The exhibition consisted of around 150 storage jars, bowls, plates, casseroles and vases. The preview was well attended and the lively atmosphere was generated in part due to the french wine and food provided.

Fired Up - York City Art Gallery 2005

One of three exhibitions opening in September 2005 featuring studio pottery from the 13,000 pieces held by the York Museums Trust.

Fired up features the the journey of a pot from the clay in the ground to the plate on the table. Ceramics from Iron Age times through to twentieth century studio pottery are shown in themed displays - posh pots, from the kitchen to the table, tippling, tea or coffee, construction : bricks and mortar, construction - keeping the roof over your head, beliefs and idols, pots for shops and home comforts - illustrating how potters have responded to the demands of the population.

Modern studio pots includes work by Hans Coper, Shoji Hamada, Bernard Leach, Liz Frizsch, Jim Malone, Michael Cardew, William Staite-Murray, Michael Casson and the local potter David Lloyd-Jones.

Although the valuable pots are in cases or behind wired alarms, the exhibition includes a display of pots to be handled, these include work by Ray Finch and Ursula Mommens.

A Passion for Pots - Wakefield Art Gallery 2005

One of three exhibitions opening in September 2005 featuring studio pottery from the 13,000 pieces held by the York Museums Trust.

A Passion for Pots celebrates the life and studio pottery of Wakefield librarian Bill Ismay who amassed a 3,500 piece collection which filled his small terraced house in the city. Bill died in 2001 and bequeathed his pots to the museum trust.

The exhibition is in two rooms. One exhibits large pots by Shoji Hamada, Hans Coper, Svend Bayer, Ladi Kwali and Barbara Cass together with the 80th birthday plate created by Eric Mellon featuring Bill Ismay with some of Mellon's usual characters! A video in which Barley Roscoe, Jim Robison and Chris Keenan talk about Bill and the Coper and Hamada pots and huge enlarged images of some of Bill's letters are also included together with some pots to be handled including work from the Leach Pottery in St. Ives and Svend Bayer. The second room tries to give the visitor an idea of what Bill Ismay's house must have been like. Cased displays of Bill's pots are surrounded by wall sized images of how the pots were stored in his house - stacked on top of each other and covered in dust.

Matsuzaki Ken - Ruthin Craft Centre - May 2005

Matsuzaki Ken is one of Japan's leading potters studying under Tatsuko Shimaoka before setting up his own studio near Mashiko over thirty years ago. In 2002 Ken was invited over to the UK and took part in a number of events including Clay Art 2005 at Ruthin in North Wales. An exhibition of Matsuzaki Ken's work was held at Ruthin Craft Centre to accompany the Clay Art event.

Totally Teabowls - Oakwood Gallery, Nottinghamshire - March 2004

The second Totally Teabowls exhibition at the Oakwood Gallery in March 2004 featured 449 (yes, 449) teabowls by 48 different makers.

A Leach Family Exhibition - The Gallery Upstairs, Henley-in-Arden - September 2002

The Gallery Upstairs is above Reg Moon's Torquil Pottery in picturesque Henley-in-Arden. The selling exhibition featuring pots by David and John Leach, sculpture by Ben Leach and paintings by Elizabeth Travis (Ben's wife) was enhanced by the appearance of a number of pots by Bernard and David Leach loaned from private collections.

The preview was attended by all four artists and was opened by local pottery expert Henry Sandon.

David Leach - 20th Century Ceramics 2002

As I write in June 2004, this major retrospective exhibition of the work of David Leach is near to completing it's tour of the U.K.

David made his first pot as a boy in Japan in 1917 and he is still potting well into his nineties. The exhibition included over 130 pots showing how David's work has evolved over the years. The accompanying book simply entitled David Leach contains a biography by Emmanuel Cooper as well as photographs of the exhibition.