The finest china – and some porcelain puppies
Porcelain Complexion - a new exhibition from Devon Guild and Plymouth Museum on show at Bovey Tracey's craft gallery from 4 October to 17 November.
The exhibition tells the story of porcelain’s journey from China to Devon. It combines historical artefacts specially loaned from Plymouth Museum with the work of several contemporary makers. Amongst the antique tea-ware sits Carl – part of a group of hand-dipped porcelain dogs by Helen Felcey. For her, porcelain embodies both sharpness and softness and gives the familiar an other-worldly quality.
This clay is durable, fired at high temperatures and whether ancient or contemporary is known for its glazed-white translucence. Although usually associated with its origins in the Kaolin Mountains of China, it is little-known that the same clay type exists within the geology of Cornwall and it was in Plymouth that the first British patent was granted in 1768 to William Cookworthy, who opened the first UK porcelain factory in the town. Key pieces from here collected by Plymouth Museum feature in the exhibition amongst other rare finds from China..
Alongside the historic pieces we find current work by five international ceramic artists. They all use porcelain, but in very different ways. For example, Australian Prue Venables preserves the functionality of a tea-strainer within the serene stillness of porcelain. Devon Guild member Taja presents a large blue-gazed wall installation.
Other exhibitors include Westcountry potter Tim Gee, co-curator Phil de Burlet and Takeshi Yasuda, whose pieces are held in the V&A London. Alongside other related events, Yasuda is coming to talk about the creation of porcelain on the 13 November at Devon Guild. (Exhibition is open daily 10am – 5.30pm. Free entry.)
Associated events:
Wednesday 16 October 2 - 4pm
Any questions about porcelain – contemporary or historical?
Questions answered by Alison Cooper (Curator of Decorative Art, Plymouth Museum) and some of the exhibitors.
19 October 10am - 4pm
Porcelain demonstration and make day
Free to watch or £10 to stay and make a badge/brooch. Saturday
Wednesday 13 November 6.30pm. £7 (£5)
Creation of Porcelain and Jingdezhen Today illustrated talk by Takeshi Yasuda.
Porcelain Complexion is co-curated by Philippa de Burlet, Taja and Flora Pearson. In association with Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery, kindly funded by Arts Council England. 01626 832223
Image: “Carl” Hand-dipped porcelain, Helen Felcey
