As I usually find when I visit the Contemporary Ceramics Centre, there are some outstanding pieces on display.
After I’d taken a look at Martin Pearce’s solo show I turned my attention to the shelves, each of which is devoted to one clay artist. Surely I thought, there are more potters elected to the privilege of having their work there than I was seeing. Sure enough, members have to accept that their work will only be out for a couple of months at a time. Would-be collectors can ask to see their work at other times as there’s storage below the shelves. Having a large enough Centre for more work is very difficult in London. I saw this at the new location of the Contemporary Applied Arts Centre in nearby Marylebone. They have had to leave their fine, spacious location right near Tate Modern and are now undeniably squashed in their new storefront.
We were so lucky to be able to show the work of over 100 clay people at our now-closed Gallery of BC Ceramics, all at once. It was a unique opportunity for collectors and students of ceramics to see a huge array of different techniques, glazes and firing methods. Who out there is brave enough to spearhead a campaign to re-open or re-invent our much-loved gallery?
One thing, it’s good to know that whenever you go to London’s Ceramics Gallery you’ll probably see a different selection on view at any one time.
It would seem that I am drawn to colourful work and I look for confirmation that using bold strokes of colour on one’s work is OK. You’ll see that the work I’ve chosen to show here is all either really colourful, is technically splendid or is really unusual. Enjoy browsing the work of these people and perhaps let me know which work appeals to you.
Next, my afternoon at the V & A, in their ceramics collection.. again. Oh my!
Brava, Gillian!
If this doesn’t rouse up the folks, I’d be surprised.
I wonder at first about how the galleries survive, and then I notice the prices they’re asking, and no doubt get.
I remember that from my visit there 4 years ago, as well.
And Denmark is even more astounding when it comes to prices.
Why are our artists not acknowledged equally?