The smallest gallery in the world - Part 2

I've recently changed the exhibit in the 'smallest gallery in the world'. It is a beautiful tea bowl by Matthew Blakely. It's handthrown reduction fired porcelain. I love the way the drips are caught in motion. Take a look!

Tatton Park Biennial 2010

Green Tatton - it was great to walk around the beautiful gardens and breathe the fresh air.




The Japanese garden is very pretty but it's a shame that you can't actually walk around within it. Even though the garden was made by 'Japanese workmen' it still feels like an English version of a tea garden.




The fernery.



Fiona Curran

And onto the Biennial. It's a great idea to have site specific contemporary art in such a beautiful and interesting place. However, I must confess that I was disappointed as I walked around some of the works situated in the gardens. I feel some of these artists are very good at writing proposals and subsequently 'talking the talk' but they lack the talent or time to carry their ideas through to an accomplished end that is interesting for the viewer. I always look for skill in making as well as the idea that is being conveyed. However, some artists aren't interested in the making just the concept. Unfortunately, a lot of the garden pieces weren't open or in use as this is reserved for the weekends only! I feel that if some of them were open or in use then it wouldn't have altered my opinion of it.

There were two pieces of note in the house though. Kate MccGwire's 'Evacuate'. This is a giant pheasant like creature taking over the kitchen. It was beautifully made from thousands of locally sourced feathers and created a surreal experience. It reminds me of a recurring dream I used to have as a child - continuously expanding worms! I feel the piece is a wildfowl assault on years of abuse by the aristocracy which of course has parallels.

The other piece is Helen Maurer's 'Light Landing'. Although this piece wasn't working, I could imagine that it would look quite interesting. Glass droplets hanging in a hall that when lit would evoke images of parachutes and WWII. If you ever wondered what happened to the chandeliers from Manchester airport...........

Return of the penguins

Here are a couple of images of the penguin pieces I am working on (see 29th March 2010 post for the beginnings). Lately, I've been having problems with cracking (there's always something in ceramics!) but I fired these pieces to see how the glaze works. I used my original aqua glaze with a glossy opaque white glaze. The glazes work well together and there seems to be no problems when they blend into each other. Also, I'm not used to glazing such awkward shapes so it was good to practise glazing them. The pieces need further development in particular the scale. I have some interesting ideas to work on.

Green Victoria

Pilkington Wall Tile




John Hamer's Chemist, Lark Hill Place

Exhibitions of note

I've been to see two interesting exhibitions this week. The first, at Laing Art Gallery, was showing ukiyo or 'floating world' prints. Alongside the woodblock prints depicting life at that time were lacquerware boxes. I am fascinated by these beautiful, intricate and well made objects. There are numerous types of boxes for picnics, writing and incense etc. They all have a ceremonial quality and ritual aspect to them. I am currently researching this area for my ceramic work.

The second exhibition about the life and work of Edward Hughes was intriguing, in particular his training in Japan.

Please find details of the exhibitions below.

Japanese Wave at Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle

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Under the Wave, off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai

01 May - 05 Sep 2010

Highlights from Laing's collection of Japanese prints and artefacts will be on show in a new exhibition called Japanese Wave. It will be the first time many of the items have been on show to the public for almost a decade.

The exhibition focuses on Japanese imagery from the 19th century and includes depictions of geisha, Japanese theatre and landscape.

As well as iconic images such as printmaker Hokusai's Under the Wave, off Kanagawa, the exhibition includes many prints which give an insight into life in 19th century Japan. Images of geisha are on show as well as depictions of Kabuki theatre, alongside decorative artefacts reflecting the themes seen in the prints such as combs, mirrors and fans designed for use by fashionable Japanese ladies of the day.

*** Excerpt taken from Laing Art Gallery's website.

A Japanese Passion: the pottery of Edward Hughes

8th March 2010 - 12th June 2010

MMU Special Collections Gallery
3rd floor, Sir Kenneth Green Library
All Saints

Edward Hughes (October 16, 1953 - March 31, 2006) was one of Britain's very finest potters. Sometimes called "one of studio pottery's best kept secrets" his work was extremely popular in Japan, his life's work was dedicated to making pots for others to use and he spoke about this with a passion.

This is a retrospective exhibition of Hughes' work and includes examples of his work from all periods, from his formative years when studying pottery through to the mature work made in his studios in Japan and Cumbria. The work shown shows his mastery of all aspects of the ceramicists art.

*** Excerpt taken from Manchester Metropolitan University's website.

Derwentwater

New stockist

I am pleased to announce that Salford Tourist Information Centre is now selling my work. They are situated in The Lowry at Salford Quays. They are the shop on the left as you go through the entrance and not the Lowry shop which is on the right. If you are in the area then please go and have a look. They are a good source of information on what's happening in the local area.