We are just back from a visit to Potfest at Hutton-in-the-Forest, Cumbria.
The ground was a bit muddy underfoot, thanks to all of the rain we have had recently and it seemed a bit quieter than usual because of the weather.
We started with a walk around the grounds, including the walled garden.
Then it was time for coffee and cake in one of the marquees, before looking at the competition pieces. The theme this year was "Ancestral Voices". Here are a few pieces that I liked.
No maker's label or title found on this piece.
"Neo-Renaissance Ceramics" by Sally MacDonell
"Deskford Carnyx" by Fiona Duckett
"They Spoke To Me" by Paul Smith
By Valerie Price-West
By Harm van der Zeeuw (we spoke to this ceramicist as we were looking round and he said that people often praise his use of metal and clay, and he has to point out that it is all ceramic (apart from a metal chassis hidden inside the car sculptures for strength)).
As usual we were absolutely spoilt for choice, but made our first purchase at the very first stand we visited: Chiu-i Wu's. We had looked at her endearing creature sculptures, with "big eyes" for many years, and finally purchased the piece shown at left below, "Little Creature" (pinched and coil built ceramic sculpture) by Chiu-i Wu. She was telling us about the show in Perth, which had been even wetter, if possible! Originally from Taiwan and now living in York, her website lists the shows she will be attending throughout the summer. I would buy everything she makes, if I could 😄.
Time to have lunch with our neighbours, Helena and Sandy, who were also looking around Potfest, and to share our favourites and purchases. The rain had come on quite strongly by now, so we sheltered under a leaky canopy while we ate our rolls, before heading home to unwrap our lovely new ceramics.
The ground was a bit muddy underfoot, thanks to all of the rain we have had recently and it seemed a bit quieter than usual because of the weather.
We started with a walk around the grounds, including the walled garden.
Then it was time for coffee and cake in one of the marquees, before looking at the competition pieces. The theme this year was "Ancestral Voices". Here are a few pieces that I liked.
As usual we were absolutely spoilt for choice, but made our first purchase at the very first stand we visited: Chiu-i Wu's. We had looked at her endearing creature sculptures, with "big eyes" for many years, and finally purchased the piece shown at left below, "Little Creature" (pinched and coil built ceramic sculpture) by Chiu-i Wu. She was telling us about the show in Perth, which had been even wetter, if possible! Originally from Taiwan and now living in York, her website lists the shows she will be attending throughout the summer. I would buy everything she makes, if I could 😄.
These two Raku rice bowls from Rob Sollis were our next find:-
I love the shape, and matte, irregular glaze on these bowls.
And finally, from the ceramicists, Charlotte and Sigi Böhmer, a salt and pepper set. We have bought something from this talented couple for the last five or six years, so have quite a collection of their dinner and side plates, soup bowls and tiny bowls, and a little bird pot. They always use the grey, mustard and white colour palette, so everything mixes and matches, although the patterns are all different.
Time to have lunch with our neighbours, Helena and Sandy, who were also looking around Potfest, and to share our favourites and purchases. The rain had come on quite strongly by now, so we sheltered under a leaky canopy while we ate our rolls, before heading home to unwrap our lovely new ceramics.
