At the De Morgan Centre, we aim to host a lively and wide ranging programme of temporary exhibitions, many featuring the work of contemporary crafts-people, with the aim of promoting craft education and the best craft practices of today.
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Voyages of Discovery: De Morgans and the Sea
3rd February - 25th August 2012
Ships, sea monsters, seashores, shells, sirens and sea maidens are all to be discovered in this vibrant exhibition at the De Morgan Centre.
‘Who would not be delighted to go a-sailing in one of Mr De Morgan’s dream-ships’
- Halsey Ricardo
Curated in conjunction with Arts and Crafts property, National Trust Standen, De Morgans and the Sea gives visitors the opportunity to explore maritime influences in the work of the De Morgans. The theme of the sea was a major sourceof inspiration for both William De Morgan’s Arts and Crafts ceramics and his wife Evelyn’s paintings. Medieval galleons manned by sailors on the lookout for giant fish, dolphins and sea monsters form part of William De Morgan’s quirky cast of characters. Evelyn’s paintings of mythological subjects such as Ariadne (looking more stoical than distraught after being abandoned on the island of Naxos by her lover Theseus) or her depictions of Hans Christian Anderson’s much adored little mermaid reinterpret these classic tales for a new audience.
As well as drawing inspiration from the sea, much of De Morgan’s work was destined to travel the waves themselves, as commissions for the P&O shipping line. The superlative Galleon tile panel, designed for the P&O ship S.S.Malta in 1895, will be exhibited alongside key pieces from the De Morgan collection, including a spectacular moonlight lustre punch bowl depicting fanciful fish which represents the pinnacle of De Morgan’s technical prowess, and a very rare, early seahorse tile whose production techniques mirror the matt quality of Morris and Co. tiles. Among Evelyn’s exhibited works are the nude male figures of Phosphorous and Hesperus, which, imbued with potent sexual symbolism in the form of phallic torches and conch shells, caused scandal and controversy when first exhibited, and the allegorical ‘S.O.S’ with its symbolic sea monsters representing evil and death.
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November 16th 2011 - January 14th 2012
Visitors to the De Morgan Centre this winter will be all of a flutter at the sight of this wonderful selection of bird inspired craft.
The temporary exhibition will feature an enchanting selection of ceramics, glasswork, driftwood sculptures and drawings, each piece inspired by the form and flight of birds. Alongside regular exhibitiors Wendy Ramshaw, Laurence McGowan, Prue Cooper and Sid Burnard, new additions to the De Morgan fold are glass artist Heather Konschuh, ceramicist Anthony Theakston and jeweller Barbara Christie.
A wide range of pieces will be exhibited, including both decorative and functional ceramics such as Laurence McGowan’s beautiful stoneware adorned with festive robins and Prue Cooper’s witty yet traditional slipware. Magical driftwood sculptures of birds peeping out of nests or perching on branches are presented by sculptor Sid Burnard, and elegant bird jugs and decorative lidded pots by Anthony Theakston. Colourful blown glass birds by Canadian glass artist Heather Konschuh and decorative jewellery in precious metals by Barbara Christie will also be exhibited. The Centre is delighted to be able to present a collection of bird drawings created exclusively for the De Morgan Centre and inspired by the collection of De Morgan’s whimsical decorated pottery by internationally renowned jeweller and designer Wendy Ramshaw.
This show offers the perfect opportunity to purchase interesting and unique Christmas presents or even a gift to keep for yourself!
The Centre will have limited opening hours over Christmas - please check our Visit Us page for more details.