Over recent years, it has become increasingly evident that keen gardeners are looking to enhance their design and planting with art and craft focal points. At Bevere, we have always shown such pieces but not always in the eye-catching way that we have in our main galleries. We have now responded to that situation by setting the courtyard as our third key gallery with the emphasis clearly on pieces that can be enjoyed throughout the year in the garden.
The makers we now display, in ways which we know will attract the visitor as well as give presence to each piece, are diverse in style but retain the qualities of making skills and creativity.
Nigel Edmondson who we have represented for many years now, has provided us with his latest work which is markedly different from earlier pieces. Notwithstanding his long making career, his creativity has not diminished.
Su Rogers, appearing for the first time at Bevere has a striking collection of floral art pieces. Their size and colour will certainly have a year-round attraction in any garden. By contrast, she also makes monochrome pieces of stature with sgraffito decoration.
Helen Humphries decorates the walls of the courtyard with beautiful heads that have proved popular with our visitors. They are finely made and they each have an elegance which draws our attention.
Nicola Richards has been represented by the gallery for some years and the garden planters we now have are the first outdoor work she has made for us. The painted decoration around each vessel and the shaping of her vessels will look good on your garden patio.
Wendy Lawrence produces skilfully sculpted pieces. The inspiration for her work comes from natural form and texture, also architecture and antiquity. She enjoys working on a varied scale and carving into the clay body.
Chris Prindle has tea bowls and a range of work in the ceramic gallery. In the courtyard gallery we have by contrast his very large garden stools which are impressively thrown. They will sit very comfortably in the garden as will their owners who want to enjoy time with their trees and plants.
Neil Lossock is a skilled metal worker and his wide range of finely sculpted pieces including fern fronds and allium heads have been very popular with our clients for several years now. There are also larger set pieces involving the presentation of flower and foliage which we have from time to time. They certainly make an impact.
Simon Griffiths is a highly skilled ceramic sculptor of wildlife and we are delighted to have had two stunning birds on attractive wooden plinths. One has already sold but we have a hawk remaining that is so lifelike we are sure it will keep other birds away! It is a standout piece in the courtyard and will sit well in any garden.
