Oriel Cerameg | Ceramic Gallery
Canolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Gorffennaf 21 July – Hydref 7 October 2018
The project ‘Not Just for Pretty’ has given me the chance to explore the functional and decorative qualities of Michael Cardew pottery. Studying the pots in the Ann Carr Collection I can see how Cardew developed and progressed his work. The influences of every part of his potting career are shown in this later body of work which includes pots made in Abuja and Wenford Bridge.
I would never have called myself a decorator before this project but now having translated decorative motifs into my own style and onto my own pots I have found my own voice. Decoration is now the main statement of my work and awareness of function is foremost in my mind when I am making.
Michael Cardew’s pots have always been present in Robyn Cove’s life. Her mother was a distant relation of Cardew and the family used his jars, cups and bowls in their day-to-day life. Robyn’s interest in studio ceramics was encouraged by her uncle Simon Fox, a ceramics collector who has kindly loaned some pieces for this exhibition.
Ann Carr (1928-2013) was a friend, neighbour and admirer of Michael Cardew. In 2014 her son Julian Carr donated over 300 pieces of her collection to Aberystwyth University. This important collection is all associated with the Wenford Bridge Pottery established by Michael Cardew in 1939. After visiting the Ann Carr Collection at in 2017, Robyn was awarded an Arts Council of Wales production grant to develop a new body of work inspired by Michael Cardew’s pottery in Aberystwyth University’s Ceramic Collection.
Download a PDF of the exhibition catalogue here: Robyn Cove
