Pitzhanger Manor stages unique exhibition

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Contemporary and historic pottery on display

 

'Breakers' exhibition showcases contemporary and Victorian ceramics

 

Ealing Council's Pitzhanger Manor-House and Gallery will celebrate Museums and Galleries Month by showcasing a diverse and colouful range of contemporary and Victorian ceramics.

 

The free 'Breakers' exhibition will run from Friday 19 May to Sunday 2 July and is part of the gallery's 10th anniversary 'Breaking the Boundaries' season.

 

The exhibition profiles contemporary ceramics, showing work by internationally acclaimed artists.  

Artists include Hans Stofer who makes work from broken or discarded pieces; Heather Park whose work shows the effects of nature on coral; Laura Ford's 'Headthinkers' shows small boys poignantly resting donkey heads, built in glazed ceramic stoneware, against walls and tables;and, Richard Slee whose ceramics are about the domestic interior, both from past and contemporary cultures.

 

To reflect the Museums and Galleries Month theme of 'Making Connections: past, present and future', Pitzhanger Manor has also chosen to re-present some of its collection of historic Martinware Pottery by the Martin Brothers dating from the late 19th century.

 

The Martin Brothers worked in potteries in Fulham and Southall from 1873-1923. Pitzhanger Manor-House owns the largest collection of Martinware in the country, approximately 400 pieces in total, with 130 on permanent display. The brothers were pioneers in the production of studio pottery, some beautifully formed and expertly decorated and some eccentric, like their famous bird jars.

 

Museums and Galleries Month (29 April - 4 June 2006) is the biggest celebration of its kind in the world, highlighting the wealth of opportunities for entertainment, cultural enrichment and education that UK museums and art galleries have to offer. With a theme this year of Making Connections: Past, Present and Future, MGM2006 was launched throughout the UK with a big Welcome Weekend (29 April - 1 May) which is followed by hundreds of events in museums and galleries around the country.

 

Visit www.mgm.org.uk or www.24hourmuseum.org.uk for further details about MGM2006 and events happening in the area.

 

European Night at the Museum - Saturday 20 May 7pm - 10pm Free Entry

 

To celebrate the evening when museums throughout Europe are open for the night, PM Gallery and House will open its doors for a late night tour of Breakers at 8pm. Led by exhibiting artist Hans Stofer, this is an exciting opportunity to view the Martinware collection.

 

Live classical music will be provided by the Cecelian String Quartet playing in the small drawing room. Refreshments will be available.

 

May 10, 2006