The Art of the Potter: Ceramics and Sculpture from 1930 to Now

20 Jan 2023-18 Feb 2024

Overview

Sculpture and ceramics have had a close relationship throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. This exhibition will celebrate Wakefield’s progressive approach to collecting ceramics since the 1930s and will shine a light on artists exploring the sculptural possibilities of this versatile medium.

On display will be some of the earliest ceramics to join the collection by Michael Cardew and Samuel Haile. A number of works from the 1950s – a particularly rich period for British studio ceramics – will be shown by artists including Hans Coper, Bernard and Janet Leach, and Lucie Rie.

The exhibition will include a significant number of recent acquisitions into the collection through gifts, bequests and fundraising including by Alison Britton, Elizabeth Fritsch, Gwyn Hanssen Pigott, Ewen Henderson, Akiko Hirai, Ryoji Koie and Magdalene Odundo.