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UID:7559@artinliverpool.com
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20230725
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20230806
DTSTAMP:20230721T130415Z
URL:https://www.artinliverpool.com/events/arthouse-gallery-pots-and-prints
 -63-to-1/
SUMMARY:ArtHouse Gallery: ArtHouse Gallery: Pots and Prints (63 to 1)
DESCRIPTION:Pots and Prints (63 to 1)\nsolo exhibition by Mervyn Thomas\nAr
 tHouse\, Eastbank Street\, Southport PR8 1EJ\n25th July – 5th August 202
 3\nIt is difficult to believe that ‘Pots and Prints (63 to 1)’ will be
  celebrated local artist\, Mervyn Thomas\, first solo exhibition.\nAlready
  a popular exhibitor with regional groups and societies\, this one-man-sho
 wcase at the ArtHouse in Southport will be a valuable opportunity to catch
  up with Mervyn’s latest exploits.\nMostly self-taught\, Mervyn has been
  working with clay since he first studied pottery growing up in the Midlan
 ds: “In the 1960’s I was lucky enough to go to a Technical School in B
 irmingham where\, aged 11\, I first met up with clay. I found that I had a
 n aptitude for making pots\, and ended up studying Ceramics to A-level. I 
 really enjoyed pottery which acted as a counter to the stresses of my othe
 r more academic subjects.”\nHowever\, pains in the backs on his hands su
 ggested that working with wet clay might not be a career option and for th
 e next 35 years Mervyn went into farming.\n“Throughout my working life\,
  I still retained my love of and interest in ceramics. Occasionally I stud
 ied pottery at evening classes\, but the sessions were few and far between
 . Nevertheless I maintained my enthusiasm primarily through reading ‘Cer
 amic Review’ magazine and by studying various books on ceramics.”\nWhe
 n he retired\, Mervyn quite naturally reconnected with clay and now fills 
 his time making his own distinctive pots in-between managing and tutoring 
 at the ClayWorks studio in Southport where he generously passes on his ski
 lls to newcomers.\n“The main influences on my pottery have been nature\,
  and oriental art\, particularly bronze\, jade and the ceramics of China a
 nd Japan. Individuals who have influenced my making are Shoji Hamada\, Luc
 ie Rie\, Takeshi Yasuda and latterly Colin Pearson and John Glick.”\nPre
 ferring to work in white porcelain\, Mervyn is drawn to the extra challeng
 es - “it has been likened to throwing with cream cheese!” - the diffic
 ult medium presents.\n“My first love is throwing. Much of my work is bas
 ed on the wheel. However\, I love distorting and altering what I have thro
 wn. I enjoy producing work\, which is by turn delicate\, brutal\, experime
 ntal\, surprising or quirky whilst always trying to develop and push the b
 oundaries of my knowledge and skills.”\nMervyn’s investigative pursuit
 s recently took him away from his wheel: “Last year\, I took up printing
  - hence the title for my exhibition. Initially my idea was to explore way
 s to print onto clay. However the more I learn\, the more I discover that 
 there are a myriad of different techniques that can be used. I’m still e
 xperimenting - watch this space.”\nDespite careful planning\, Mervyn alw
 ays makes room for the unpredicted to be revealed after firing: “Having 
 made and then applied decoration to a pot\, I generally have a good idea o
 f what I am expecting to come out of the kiln. Sometimes I am disappointed
  because it hasn’t matched my expectations. Often though others without 
 my preconceptions will like the pot. The capacity for serendipitous outcom
 es is something I find a great joy when making ceramics.” \nA firm belie
 ver in the tactile nature of his craft\, although Mervyn advocates that 
 “pots are meant to be fondled” he advisedly asks visitors to: “feel 
 free to handle any of my pots in the exhibition\, but please be careful!
 ”\nThis exclusive showing is certainly not one to be missed. Mervyn’s 
 distinctive artwork will be on display at the ArtHouse\, Eastbank Street\,
  Southport from 25th July – 5th August 2023. The gallery is open Tuesday
  – Friday 10.00-15.00. Saturday 11.00-16.00.
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.artinliverpool.com/wp-content/upload
 s/2023/07/101-uses-for-a-dead-Dalek-number-23-forcing-rhubarb.jpg
LOCATION:ArtHouse Gallery\, 65 Eastbank Street\, Southport\, Sefton\, PR81E
 J\, Southport\, United Kingdom
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