In August I travelled down to Windsor for my first ever Art In Clay followed by the joy of visiting Oxford the following October for the CPA show.
The only ceramic fair I have ever visited in the past has been Potfest In The Park because the journey time to get there is the shortest at 2 hours. So to travel to any other shows particularly those close to London requires quite a commitment.
I found the vibe at all three ceramic fairs to be very different from each other. Potfest In The Park felt more elitist and reassuring as I have been there before and was by far the bigger of the events. Oxford Ceramic Fair was small but I was disappointed by the depth of artists work. The space was restricted and in some ways had a car boot sale ambience. It did not feel that artists could show their work to the best of advantage. I really enjoyed the Art In Clay event as there was more going. It had well established ceramists together with newly graduated students work plus there was a programme of interesting talks and demos from a variety of speakers. Although professional, the fair had a more relaxed atmosphere where it felt more conducive to approach stallholders. I got a lot out of this particular event and would definitely invest my time in attending in the future.
Business Cards from Art In Clay Fair
At the start of the new term back at university we went on a trip to the BCB in Stoke On Trent. This was a slightly scaled down event to previous years but was still inspirational and informative.
I was very taken by Tamsin van Essen's The Residue of Tools which was part of the Fresh exhibition this year. Her work has helped me cement my view of having contrast in my work. The copper oxide against the white porcelain was very striking and impactful (picture 1). Jin Eui Kim's geometric designs provided a similar narrative of contrast (picture 2). There was also significant inclusion to the recent pandemic and its effect on society as depicted by Helen Beard's Ghost Town Britain (picture 3). Mosaci artist Cleo Mussi, (picture 4) provided narrative to current social issues through the use of recycled ceramics was also powerful. My favourite pieces at the event were by Janet Lines. Her artist statement explains her concept "An investigation into the Unknown and the emotions this precarious state brings into being" (pictures 5 & 6). I enjoyed the contrast of simplicity in her work against the textured forms.
Takeaways from the BCB: Top (picture 1-3) Bottom (picture 4-6) left to right
Further pictures from the BCB.
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