Europe’s most prestigious ceramic festival – Art in Clay, is thrilled to be moving to a brand-new venue in Windsor to celebrate its 27th year of the show, where discerning homeowners seeking that unique finishing touch to their décor can discover and buy acclaimed ceramic artwork.
Visitors to the international renowned event will also have an opportunity to hear from TV’s famed Great Pottery Throw Down judge as he discusses his experiences within the pottery world.
Along with the strong line up of the Pottery world’s most knowledgeable and experienced potters’ well-known artists and up-and-coming ceramicists will both display and sell their art at an exciting new venue the Royal Windsor Racecourse, Berkshire on August 20, 21 and 22.
From high-end art to practical pieces, among the 200 artists displaying at Art in Clay are:
Peter Beard: this Warwickshire-based internationally renowned ceramic artist has been creating his unique objects for nearly 50 years. His strong simple shapes that are both thrown and hand built are decorated with complex surfaces to complement the form and excite the eye, drawing an emotional response from the viewer. Peter’s work has been exhibited around the world and is represented in numerous museums, public and private collections in the UK and overseas. Visit www.peterbeard.co.uk
Jemma Gowland: an up-and-coming contemporary British artist who receive Art in Clay’s 2019 student award, explores through her work the way that girls are constrained from birth to conform to an appearance and code of behaviour, to present a perfect face, and maintain the expectations of others. The use of porcelain or stoneware with layered disrupted surfaces, describe the vulnerability beneath. Visit www.jgowland.com
Matthew Blakely: this talented Cambridgeshire based artist makes pots that represent the geology of Britain, from rocks and clays that he has collected and prepared. Matthew has great technical glaze knowledge, which is featured in his new book, on how to develop glazes recipes from crushed and ground rocks. His work is then mostly fired in a wood kiln, with the combination of rock and ash producing an astonishing range of colours and textures. Visit www.matthewblakely.co.uk
Tom Knowles Jackson: this Cotswold based artist, recognisable from TV’s first series of the Great Pottery Throw Down, makes functional pottery for the table, sideboard and oven that is inspired by African and Eastern Traditions, local materials and the ceremony of eating and drinking. Tom works in stoneware that is high fired using both gas and wood firing atmospheres to create pots that are robust yet refined. His pots are decorated with a natural palette of glazes and slips derived from wood ash and other locally foraged materials. Visit www.tkjceramics.com
Tony Laverick: a Staffordshire based Potter, who studied at Preston Polytechnic before working in the heart of the potteries designing at Coalport China, using his industry knowledge and expertise creates thrown porcelain vessels decorated in multiple firings using glazes, slips and metals. Working like a painter with the pot as his canvas, Tony uses a visual “language” of shape, colour, form and line to create abstract compositions. These create an interaction to evoke feelings in the viewer based upon reality and suggestion. Visit www.tonylaverick.co.uk
In addition to the 200 exhibitors showcasing their art, a full daily programme will include:
- Ceramic talks and demonstrations for those with an interest in furthering their ceramic knowledge and expertise. With headliner Keith Brymer-Jones, famed for being a judge on TV’s Great Pottery Throw Down, discussing his career as a potter on Saturday 21st at 12.30pm. Further talk/demo announcements to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
- A Clay Creation Zone to fire both children and adults’ imagination with options to throw a pot on a potter’s wheel, have a go at Raku or make a creation by hand with guidance from an experienced potter
- Visitors can also have a go at the clay challenge
- Exhibitor awards including The Valentine Clays Peers Award and The Potclays Student Award that recognise an outstanding peer and newcomer to the world of pottery and ceramics.
Keith Brymer-Jones, judge of Channel 4’s Great Pottery Throw Down and Head of Design at Make International, commented: “Art in Clay is such a wonderful event, showcasing an incredible eclectic spectrum of ceramics. I am so pleased to announce that I shall be a part of it this year talking about life as a potter and the incredible journey that clay is taking me on.”
Art in Clay Show Director Hannah Ault said: “After 27 years Art in Clay is excited to be moving to a fabulous new venue where we intend to build on our reputation as one of the international highlights on the ceramics scene.
We are thrilled this year to have an extensive list of renowned artists showcasing their beautiful work with something for everyone to ensure those visiting will be able to find that perfect piece of art for their homes that will stand out from the crowd and will be unique.
There is also an opportunity to chat to the artists and learn from the experts with the likes of Keith Brymer-Jones helping to inspire all of those that visit.
“The ceramic art world is vibrant and thriving, and it is testament to the prestige of Art in Clay that for serious ceramics collectors it is a must-visit annual event.”
Art in Clay opens its doors on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st August from 10am to 5.30pm, and on Sunday 22nd from 10am to 5pm. Admission prices are Adult £11, Concession £10.50, Two-Day Ticket £19, Three-Day Ticket £27. Children aged 15 and under are FREE.
For further information on Art in Clay or to book tickets please visit www.artinclay.co.uk
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For media queries contact Hannah Ault at Art in Clay on 01782 271200 or email hannah@artinclay.co.uk