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Out of the Fire
An exhibition of ceramics by potters for whom the firing process
is more than the final stage of the making process
7th November - 29th November 2009
Peter Hayes - Ardine Spitters - Nic Collins - Ben Brierley
We have often remarked that one of the extraordinary aspects of ceramic art and craft is that all makers are basically using the same material and yet the end product seems infinitely diverse. Potters tend to focus on different elements in the process - for some it is the need for deft modelling skills, in others it is the decoration and then there are those that use the firing and post firing process as the means to express their art.
The final stage has always been full of anticipation and apprehension - has the firing been successful - how will the pots look? Opening the conventional gas or electric kiln is not without hazard but witness a raku firing or the licking flame in the large wood-fired kiln and it is clear that this is something else altogether.
This exhibition brings together four eminent potters for whom the firing process is much more than the end stage.
New work by artists Richard Sorrell (PPRWS RBA NEAC) and Patricia Saddington will accompany the ceramics in the New Space this month (see below)
Peter Hayes is well known for his innovation and creativity but is also remembered for his raku demonstrations at the major ceramic festivals. His bravura performances add much to the excitement of making and the anticipation of the beautiful objects that emerge from the fire. The process doesn't stop there and Peter's use of the river and shoreline to weather and finish the pots is now legendary.
Ardine Spitters is a French potter whose firing processes epitomise what this show is about - the pots are treated with sulphates after the first firing; then the kiln is filled one third with wood and sawdust; the pots are placed on this layer; then there comes another layer of sawdust and again more pots. Afterwards the whole kiln is filled with sawdust. Then it is lit on the top, and it burns slowly down. The firing process lasts about 48 hours. The outcome is unpredictably beautiful vessels.
Nic Collins says that since the early 90s his pots have dramatically changed, mainly due to the influence of the effects of the kiln. For example, when side stoking the Anagama kiln, inevitably pots would be knocked over, falling into the fire box areas and buried in ash and embers. In the early days these pots would be discarded as failures, but now this type of pot is his goal. He builds several kilns a year to suit changing pot styles and firing ideas. The alchemy of wood firing still fascinates him and each firing brings fresh ideas for new pots and new kilns. An endless journey!
Ben Brierley's work is wood fired to 1400°C in an anagama kiln for three to five days. There is no wall separating the fire from the work and through the duration of the firing the ash from the fire lands on the pots and at top temperature this ash melts to form a natural ash glaze. Only a small proportion of his work is conventionally glazed with glazes modified again to respond to the atmosphere within the firing chamber. The majority of work relies on the interaction between ash, clay and fire.
Ceramics Curator Stuart Dickens says "So here we have work which is truly 'Out of the Fire' and it is that firing process that adds so much to the frisson of the end stage as well as producing such fine pots."
New work by artists Richard Sorrell (PPRWS RBA NEAC) and Patricia Saddington will accompany the ceramics in the Gallery this month
Richard Sorrell was born in 1948, the son of Alan Sorrell, the historical draughtsman and painter and Elizabeth Sorrell the watercolorist. He studied at the RA Schools (Post Graduate Course) 1968-72, having also attended Walthamstow Art School and Kingston College of Art.
Richard was elected to the Royal Watercolour Society in 1975, where he was Vice-President from 2002-05, and President from 2006-09.
Richard Sorrell's work is held in the collections of the V&A Museum, Museum of London, the National Trust, Norwich City Council, Beecroft Art Gallery, Southend-on-Sea, Basildon Arts Trust and in private collections in Britain, Europe and US.
Patrica Saddington says of her work, " Although my ideas and inspiration come from the Cornish landscape, especially West Cornwall, people often say my paintings remind them of other landscapes, usually a place or a time that has a special meaning for them. This is not unexpected as when we look at an abstracted image we bring to it our visual memories. So for each of us it has its own meaning."
In addition to the featured show above in the New Space, we will have a wide variety of work on show in the Coach House Gallery by a variety of makers and artists and featured in 'The Space Upstairs' will be Worcester artist Linda Judkins.
Refreshments
Available from the Café Upstairs; we are back inside upstairs now but when the sun shines we are happy to serve you in the Café Garden.
Opening Hours
10.30am - 5.00pm Tuesday - Sunday
Please enquire for Bank Holiday openings
Plenty of free parking and free admission
For further information please contactKim TaylorThe Gallery, Bevere Lane, Worcester. WR3 7RQ | |
| T: | 01905 754 484 |
| E: | enquiries@beverevivis.com |
| W: | beverevivis.com |
| B: | blog.beverevivis.com |
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CENTRE FOR
MODERN &
CONTEMPORARY
STUDIO
CERAMICS AND
POTTERY
along with quality paintings and original prints, glass artworks, woodwork, metalwork and jewellery
Open 10.30am - 5pm Tuesday - Sunday Café closes at 4pm
"The Gallery at Bevere on the outskirts of Worcester shows the best of modern/British studio ceramics, along with paintings, glasswork and other crafts in an intimate setting. A regional gallery showing national and international artists!" - David Whiting, Crafts Critic
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