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A stunning new ceramics exhibition featuring artists Lawson Oyekan, William Plumptre, Nicola Tassie and Gavin Turk opens in Kendal.

Curated by Rebecca Scott, Gallery Director at Cross Lane Projects, this new group exhibition foregrounds the diverse ceramic practices of four leading contemporary artists. 

Cross Lane Gallery is one of several contemporary galleries showcasing an exciting mix of clay work at the moment, positioning what perhaps previously would have been seen as ‘pottery’ in dialogue with more conceptual art works.

These four completely different artists are brought together through a single material that explores the uniqueness of human existence. Through it, they connect not only with each other, but also to a global history of material culture.

Nicola Tassie (b.1960) is a London based ceramicist whose work integrates the traditions of studio pottery, with a conceptual and material exploration of the nature and function of form and aesthetics. Tassie has created a new body of work specifically for this show that confronts the relationship between the interior domestic scene and exterior landscape. Familiar domestic pots are piled up and arranged into larger scale works that specifically reference dry-stone walls, steppingstones, and gateways.  Serving as both boundaries and entries, the works suggest ideas of containment and aspiration, and the contested definition between craft and art.

William Plumptre (b. 1959) is one of the most outstanding English potters working in the distinguished Anglo-Japanese tradition.  Working from his studio in The Lake District, he creates classical but powerful forms, with a strong commitment to the centuries-old repertoire of Japan.  Plumptre’s work fills the space of a specific type of studio pottery, which he imbues with a freshness and trueness to form. The finished pots have a technical confidence.

Gavin Turk (b. 1967) is a London based artist known for his pioneering work within many forms of sculpture. His work consists in analysing and questioning the concepts of fame, authorship and originality that continue to affect our understanding of art and the artist. En Face, the work presented in this exhibition is the product of an interactive performance where Turk invited people to manipulate wet clay depicting the artist. Each of the busts became unique with the marks made by the visitors making it more personal to the public and less personal to the artist.

Lawson Oyekan (b.1961) is a British Nigerian contemporary ceramic sculptor.  A recurrent theme within his work is the physical drama of nature’s complexity and his monumental ceramic installations are usually the result of an encounter with a particular place.  Oyekan’s imposing compositions celebrate the power of nature to inspire contemplation, renewal, and transformation, whilst also reflecting his concerns about its destruction as a result of human foibles.

The exhibition will feature an accompanying essay by Eva Masterman

The exhibition opens on Friday 29 April, 6-8pm.

Exhibition continues till 25 June 2022.

The gallery is free to visit and open Wednesday – Saturday, 12-5pm.