Hand & Wheel Wheel September 29th 2012

This weekend was the Hand & Wheel show in Bristol. It was a show full of potential. A wide range of makers demonstrating all kinds of making and firing techniques. There where old school potters, published potters, up and coming ceramists, and people new to the discipline in a friendly atmosphere and and excellent venue.

I traveled from Eastbourne the night before and stayed in a cheap hotel across the river Severn, arriving at 8am the following morning to set up for the on day show. When the doors opened at 10, you would not have known it, it was so quiet all morning. It turned out that the Bristol marathon was on and surrounding roads were closed which meant that people couldn't get to the show. There were also some other events going on in the local area that overshadowed the event. *What a shame*. It did pick up in the afternoon, however only two people I spoke to where not potters, and they had come across the show in passing. They had not seen it advertised.


Above is my work all set out. This is my second ceramics show, and I will now be investing in some plinths and better lighting to pimp out my display. I did feel rather a novice next to some of the all singing all dancing exhibits around my display, which in contrast had an element of jumble sale to it. Although my husband insisted it looked fine, I have my doubts.


Above is the view along the Music Hall where I was exhibiting (this was a busy moment in the day). It was a stunning venue, with 4 or 5 exhibition rooms of varying sizes, the hall I was in was well lit with high ceilings and ornate stone fire places and door ways. Some of the other rooms where less well lit, but they suited those who has domestic ware and could light their displays to create the feeling of a kitchen or domestic space. David Jones' display was particularly well suited. It has the feeling of a rustic rural kitchen. And he had stacks of beautifully made work to compliment his display.

Below large sculptural pieces, these hands where over a meter in height!


There were a range of different firing techniques displayed.




I was particularly drawn to the amazing work by Richard Baxter. It was as though Lucie Rie and Alexander Fleming had been let loose in a a lab, and this is what they came up with. Each one unique and reminiscent of a petri dish.







I also liked the work of Trevor Lillistone  which has refined forms and a restrained pallet, reminding me of the work of Daniel Smith. The inside of the pots were pools of clear Caribbean sea water, the outside course, rough volcanic glaze, highly contrasting surfaces.



Finally I didn't get a picture of Remon Jephcott's  work so I have pinched one from the internet...

I love this! Flies are a motif I have toyed with, the decadent lustres, the decomposing fruit reminiscent of Dutch de Stijl. Faded elegance, drawing you in only to confront you with an unsettling detail. Just my cup of tea. Big up Remon.

SO, over all a great opportunity to meet people, and have a nose at other people's work. An exhibition with enormous potential, but the turn out was so disappointing. Many didn't sell anything, including me, some managed to cover the cost of  lunch, other luckier ones the cost of their stall (which was only £50). Other luckier still managed to cover their costs, but those I spoke to who broke even or made a profit had visits from friends and family stocking up for Christmas.

Do not give up on this show. I think if you live near enough to drive there and will only have to cover the cost of the stall and petrol, then do it next year, it will flourish and grow and we will have another successful ceramics show, which can only be a good thing. The organizers will not make the same mistake twice. The marathon being on at the same time, a lack of clear sign posting and insufficient advertising made the first Hand & Wheel outing a bit of a flop. BUT I see improvements on the horizon, please support this show and get involved. I have sympathy for anyone organizing a show, it is an enormous task and you are open to a lot of criticism. More shows is a good thing, just because this one had some teething problems, I don't believe that is a reason to boycott it, on the contrary get in there and support Hand & Wheel so it and ceramics can flourish and grow.