It is always difficult to understand just how swiftly the year passes, nevertheless here we are with the last of our featured maker exhibits for 2022. This feature, which runs up to Christmas, includes the work of three makers each of whom has a distinctive voice. There are some large pieces on show which will make an impact for sure, particularly Ross Emerson’s clocks which are unlike any others you will see. We hope that our choice of makers for these two months will add to the pleasures of the build up to Christmas, as well as demonstrate the remarkable skills of these eminent ceramicists.

Ross Emerson is a sculptor with superb modelling skills and a humorous view of what he sees. He models in red clay and his images of work in progress demonstrate the meticulous finish before biscuit firing. He is particularly known for his wonderful clocks that are quirky and unique. They add so much to any exhibition and like so many makers, this work deserves time to look at and appreciate. There is much in the detail that will often surprise. No-one else is making clocks like these and Ross has established his place in the ceramic sector as a very fine sculptor and artist.

ross emerson ceramics

Mark Dally, after training in textiles, applied his love of surface pattern to ceramics for his MA. Since 1990, he has produced handmade earthenware slip-decorated tableware and sculptural ceramics. His inspiration includes traditional Staffordshire slip trailing, industrial Stoke-on-Trent mid-century ceramics and the anachronisms of 1950s and ‘60s sci-fi comics. He likes to combine traditional and industrial techniques in a contemporary take on Staffordshire slipware and figures. His decoration, mostly in black on white, is striking and painted with great skill. Good to have his work with the Gallery again it always makes an impact.

mark dally ceramics

Helen Beard is a new maker to show at Bevere Gallery and once again we have a ceramicist with a very individual voice. She is a potter / illustrator and a people watcher at heart. She works from her London studio where she makes, draws, designs and sometimes teaches.  By grouping her pots together, Helen likes to tell a story – creating whimsical scenes that capture the small yet precious moments that make up our daily lives. After college, Helen was fortunate enough to land an apprenticeship with the celebrated potter and writer Edmund de Waal. She learnt a huge amount working with this master potter. We have here a maker who will keep you looking at her work and above all else – smile.

As always, we have new work from other makers that need to be promoted. Two of them were in the Gallery Annual Graduate Show and have been shown with us ever since – Emma Westmacott and her modernist design vessels and Amy Jackson whose landscape pots are particularly attractive and reflect her interest in the world around her. Jaeen Kim is a South Korean artist and maker working in London. She is showing her fascinating work here for the first time. As a trained psychologist, her making is strongly influenced by her involvement in art therapy which encourages free expression. A close look at her pieces reveals an approach to decoration that makes her vessels particularly attractive. Claire Murray has let us have another group of her familiar heads which symbolise human nature and activity. Her sculptures are readily recognised as hers and there would thankfully seem to be no end to her creative energy.

Lastly we are pleased to be showing for the first time here at Bevere the work of  Ian Rylatt who has been a  self-employed potter since 1988. All of Ian’s pots are hand thrown and constructed pieces, fired in an electric kiln, generally to stoneware temperatures 1260°- 80°c. His work has always centred around the teapot.