The year continues at a pace and the months seem to be flying by. We have again put together ceramicists with contrasting styles and making techniques that we believe will encourage us all to reflect on the approaches that express the individual creative spirit. Once again, we have prime examples of the possibilities generated through working with clay – a medium of never-ending potential.
Emily Myers has been showing her fine work at Bevere for some years. The potter’s wheel is central to Emily’s studio practice. However, she is not limited to the circular nature of the thrown pot. She has extended her repertoire of forms by faceting, carving and altering the pots at the leather hard stage. She has developed a range of matt stoneware barium glazes fired in an electric kiln. She aims to create well-proportioned forms with subtle surfaces, that promote a feeling of tranquillity. There is a precision about her making that impresses and although she has been making over a long time now, her creativity continues to flourish.
Katie Braida will be showing at Bevere Gallery for the first time. She makes sculptural earthenware vessels and forms. They are hand built using a combination of pinch pots, coils and slabs. After bisque firing the pieces are then coloured with oxides and underglaze colours, before being fired again. She is inspired by her environment and the natural, fabricated marks and patterns within it. We are excited to be able to show Katies indoor work alongside 3 larger outdoor pieces.
Paul James has let us have his work for the first time and we are delighted to be showing his finely made vessels. His work focuses on the simplicity of the raw materials, revealing the natural textures and beauty of the clay body. Paul’s work demonstrates how impactful undecorated but finely crafted vessels can be.
Helen Murgatroyd is our featured printmaker for April, she studied Graphic Design in Manchester before specialising in Printmaking at The Royal College of Art in London. She tries to capture the humility in the daily rituals of everyday life in her linocut prints, her graphic design background is evident in her artwork as are her observational skills. Helen says she is captivated by the challenge of translating spontaneous hand-drawn marks into the graphic medium of linocut. Helen has exhibited widely and, amongst other awards, has been named Printmakers’ Printmaker at PrintFest both in 2019 and 2022. Her style is instantly recognisable and relatable, there is a comfort and familiarity offered to the viewer of known situations and common place tasks. We hope visitors will enjoy her reflections in lino of everyday life.
