Ballantynes National Tableware Exhibition 2009 - New Zealand Society of Potters
Mair Gallery, 23rd September–10th October 2009
For thousands of years skilled potters have made objects from clay that are useful in the home and pleasing to the eye. Working in clay came late to New Zealand, first on a factory scale in the nineteenth century and then in the studio in the twentieth. The visit of Shoji Hamada in the sixties stimulated many to take up the craft and soon it seemed as if every home would have domestic wares made individually by New Zealand potters. However in the past twenty years or so however this balance has shifted. Increasingly the work which is most admired and which wins the awards is chosen primarily for its appearance. In particular, functionality is no longer a requirement and clay sculpture is beginning to dominate in pottery exhibitions.
Concerned that a great craft tradition was gradually being diminished, Christchurch members of the New Zealand Society of Potters responded to the lead of Frederika Ernsten and in 1997 held a national exhibition of tableware. J. Ballantyne & Co. agreed to be the principal sponsors and Ballantynes National Tableware Exhibition was born. Held bi-annually and open to all members, the exhibition is at COCA in 2009. For older Canterbury potters it feels good to be home again, for the CSA Gallery has been host to many exhibitions of work by New Zealand potters.
Artworks
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Agnes Choi - Six coffee cups & saucers
- • This piece has been sold
Anne Pullar
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Hugh Rickard - Aki no hibiki vase
- • This piece has been sold
Hugh Rickard - Fernleaf vase
- • This piece has been sold
Ian Webster
- • This piece has been sold
Jo Howard - Lanterns Bowl
- • This piece has been sold
Jo Howard - Red & Green Bowl
- • This piece has been sold
