Clive Bowen - The Devon Potter | November 2017 | online catalogue

CLIVE BOWEN THE DEVON POTTER

Feather I, 2017

kiln-formed glass wall panel W58 x D0.6 cms ÂŁ825

CLIVE BOWEN THE DEVON POTTER 1 - 29 November 2017

The Scottish Gallery is delighted to host Clive Bowen’s third solo exhibition as part of our 175th anniversary year programme.

Clive Bowen was born in Cardiff in 1943. He studied painting and etching at Cardiff Art School before taking up an apprenticeship with Michael Leach at Yelland Pottery in North Devon from 1965 until 1969. In 1971 he bought a small agricultural property at Shebbear, near Holsworthy in North Devon and set up a workshop in the former farm outhouses where he still continues to work today. His pots are made in the local Fremington clay, a red earthenware clay in use for centuries for traditional North Devon wares.

‘The form and function of my work can be traced back to centuries-old pots such as English medieval jugs and early Tamba ware from Japan. There is such a wealth of forms contained within what we might loosely call ‘domestic ware’ that one lifetime is not enough to begin to explore all the possibilities. I love anonymous ethnic pots from all cultures and their feeling of life and freshness. My enthusiasm is still with the clay, the slip and the large wood-fired kiln. For me, wood firing brings the pots to life.

I enjoy sitting around the table sharing meals with family and friends; my main preoccupation is always the function of the pieces. I want my pots to be used, not merely to sit in isolation on a shelf. I want them to be used to enhance the enjoyment of everyday life and of good food.’

Clive Bowen

Clive Bowen at his Noth Devon studio, 2017

Works in progress yet to be fired, Clive Bowen’s North Devon studio, 2017

Stag & Owl Casket, 2017 slip decorated white faience H25 x W26 x D17 cms £580

Tall Vase, 2017 glazed earthenware with a slip trail fish H54 x W26 cms £1,190 Tall Jar, 2017 glazed earthenware, sgraffito with a gold slip trail H64 x W35 cms £1,255

Large Lidded Jar with Handles (view one), 2017 glazed earthenware with sgraffito fish H57 x W28 cms ÂŁ1,255

Large Lidded Jar with Handles (view two), 2017 glazed earthenware with sgraffito fish H57 x W28 cms £1,255

Tall Black Bottle, 2017 glazed earthenware with a gold slip trail H76 x W42 cms ÂŁ1,820

Black Lidded Store Jar, 2017 glazed earthenware with a gold slip trail H52 x W36 cms £1,155

Yellow & Green Jar, 2017 glazed earthenware with a brown slip trail H55 x W25 cms £1,190

Large Medieval Jug, 2017 glazed earthenware with green and brown slip trails H62 x W16 cms ÂŁ1,110 Green Medieval Jug, 2017 glazed earthenware with a brown slip trail H54 x W16 cms ÂŁ875

Square Green & Yellow Platter, 2017 glazed earthenware with a brown slip trail H8 x W44 x D44 cms £525

Large Bowl, 2017 glazed earthenware with an indented rim H18 x W39 cms ÂŁ415

Large Round Platter, 2017 glazed earthenware with a green and yellow slip trail D55 cms ÂŁ550

Large Round Platter, 2017 glazed earthenware with brown and gold slip trails D55 cms ÂŁ550

Teapot, 2017 glazed earthenware with a brown slip trail, cane handle H30 x W26 cms ÂŁ245

Tall Vase, 2017 glazed earthenware with a brown and gold slip trail H60 x W13 cms ÂŁ1,670

Large Black Rectangular Platter, 2017 glazed earthenware with a gold slip trail H57 x W76 x D3 cms ÂŁ1,050

Large Yellow Rectangular Platter, 2017 glazed earthenware with a green slip trail H53 x W74 x D4 cms ÂŁ1,050

Small Bottle, 2017 earthenware with a honey glaze H15 x W13 cms ÂŁ50 Bottle, 2017 glazed earthenware with combing and a green slip trail H28 x W20 cms ÂŁ245

CLIVE BOWEN POTTERY FOR THE HOME There will be a full range of Clive’s domestic pottery suitable for the modern kitchen; side plates, dinner plates, salad bowls, serving bowls, soup bowls, platters, tea caddies, honey pots, casserole dishes and jugs. Works vary in price from £25.

Each piece is unique and makes the experience of cooking and serving food a joy.

‘I enjoy sitting around the table sharing meals with family and friends; my main preoccupation is always the function of the pieces. I want my pots to be used, not merely to sit in isolation on a shelf. I want them to be used to enhance the enjoyment of everyday life and of good food.’

Clive Bowen

Clive Bowen’s Devon home, 2017

A selection of Clive Bowen’s plates and platters, 2017

Lidded Jars, 2017 glazed earthenware with slip trails H30 x W22 cms £350 each

Round Gold Jug, 2017 glazed earthenware with green and brown slip trails H36 x W22 cms £310

CLIVE BOWEN b. 1943 1943 Born Cardiff 1959 - 1963

Painting & Etching at Cardiff Art School

1965 - 1969 Apprenticeship with Michael Leach at Yelland Pottery in North Devon.

1971 Purchased a small agricultural property at Shebbear,

near Holsworthy in North Devon and set up a workshop

in the former farm outhouses where he still continues to work today.

Public Collections include: Victoria and Albert Museum, London National Museum of Wales Ulster Museum; Northern Ireland Crafts Council Collection, London York City Art Gallery Stoke on Trent City Museum Winnipeg Art Gallery, Canada Mingeikan, Tokyo Mashiko Museum of Ceramics, Japan Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

The Scottish Gallery would like to thank Clive and Rosie Bowen for their wonderful hospitality and for allowing access to their home and pottery.

Published by The Scottish Gallery to coincide with the exhibition: CLIVE BOWEN - THE DEVON POTTER 1 - 29 NOVEMBER 2017 All rights reserved. No part of this catalogue may be reproduced in any form by print, photocopy or by any other means, without the permission of the copyright holders and of the publishers.

Photography: Drew Raitt