Tuesday 29th May – Friday 23rd October 2007, Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections, Sir Kenneth Green Library, All Saints, Manchester, M15 6BH
The relationship between drawing and ceramics is a relatively unexplored area of contemporary practice. Many of us remain unaware of ceramicists’ work in other media, and of any connections that could be made between these creative processes. Beyond the simple act of inscribing onto or into the clay as a means of decoration, the act of drawing is central to many ceramicists’ practice. This exhibition provides an opportunity to explore this area, and to expose more of the creative processes involved in the making of pots.
This association between the artist’s two dimensional work and their pottery is explored through four themes:
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Drawing which parallels ceramic practice, ie. work which is connected to but does not directly inform the production of ceramic
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Drawing that is used to develop design ideas for ceramic
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Drawing as a tool for recording aspects of ceramic process
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New approaches to ceramic design using computer technology
Pots, tiles, ceramic sculptures etc. will be seen alongside drawings, designs, sketches and sketch-books, finished artworks, notes and computer modelled design work.
Artists represented include Anna Adams, John Chambers, Susan Halls, Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie and Scottie Wilson.
This exhibition is a collaborative project developed between Manchester Metropolitan University’s Special Collections and the Peter Scott Gallery Art Collection at Lancaster University (where the exhibition ran from Monday 15th January to Friday 23rd March 2007), and features work from both collections, and from the Yorkshire Museum Trust, the Lucie Rie and Bernard Leach Archives at the Crafts Study Centre, University College for the Creative Arts, Farnham; the Anthony Shaw Collection and from the private collections of the ceramicists themselves.
A number of events are proposed for both venues and will include:
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A conference aimed at academics and professional artists to provide a forum for debate around the themes of the exhibition
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A study day for schoolteachers to explore differing methodologies for the use of drawing in relation to design
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An artist’s demonstration and lecture day for the general public
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Workshops for schools led by practising artists (to be confirmed)
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A Firing Thoughts website
For further information please contact:
Stephanie Boydell, Manchester Metropolitan University, s.boydell@mmu.ac.uk
Lauren Humphries, Peter Scott Gallery, lauren.humphries@lancaster.ac.uk
Alex McErlain, Manchester Metropolitan University, a.mcerlain@mmu.ac.uk
Tags: Arts Event
