British Ceramics Biennial, autumn 2013, at the Spode factory.
Some examples of the tableware and studio pottery that were exhibited.
Zlom, Marta Szostek.
The workers write Zlom on scrap porcelain to distinguish trash from perfect products. Factory scrap that was destined to be smashed into little pieces and be disposed of, was used to create these exhibits. All the elements were found in rubbish containers and were hand polished.
The elements are not fixed into the plate, but separate so that they can be played with.
Vicky Shaw
Vicky Shaw
Vicky Shaw
Sasha Wardell
Sasha Wardell
Sasha Wardell
Carina Ciscato
Carina Ciscato
Deliverance, Emily Gardiner, (black stoneware and glaze)
Release, Emily Gardiner (black stoneware and glaze)
Collar, Anna Kime, (porcelain and Egyptian paste)
Bridges, Mella Shaw, (grey and yellow, body stained porcelain)
Julie Dooley (porcelain and porcelain paper clay)
Julie Dooley (porcelain and porcelain paper clay).
There is an article on Mella Shaw in the current issue of Crafts magazine - interesting stuff. My own taste draws me particularly to the work of Carina Ciscato (though more the look of your photos than that on her website) and Vicky Shaw (especially the work on the latter's website). I like the playful element of Marta Szostek's work, but as a passing amusement.
ReplyDeleteMy favourites were those of Sasha Wardell, Olga. I have seen her work before and I am fortunate to own two of her bowls. I love the delicacy of the design. Her pieces are slip cast and then she slices through 3 or 4 different coats of different coloured slips revealing underlying layers which become transparent. My photographs did not do her work justice. They are beautiful and even more so when held up to the light.
DeleteI also liked Vicky Shaw's geometric designs.
Having looked again at your photos, and gone to Sasha Wardell's website, I see what you mean about the slicing through and the delicacy. They are still a little too perfect for me, but I can clearly see that they must be very attractive.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing a ceramic exhibit/display myself tomorrow. We will be on our way to the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival for a few days, and are starting the trip with a visit to the Hepworth in Wakefield before the first concert tomorrow evening. http://www.hepworthwakefield.org/whatson/coming-soon-matthew-darbyshire-and-the-w.a.-ismay-collection/
I know what you mean about perfection, Olga, and I would usually agree with you. But in Wardell's case, I just don't know how it is possible to achieve such perfection. Even though I have met her and she has explained the process to me, I still marvel at such skill and expertise. And, they are absolutely stunning to hold and behold.
DeleteI am extremely envious about the Wakefield - we still have not managed to get there and see the new gallery, but it is on my list of things to do in the spring. I just checked the website, and the exhibition looks very interesting and I would have loved to see it, but we will not be able to make it, I'm afraid. We are going back to Greece in mid-December and there is so much to fit in before then. Have a wonderful time!