Castlegate House Gallery
Four Artists, Three Dimensions JULY 3 TO JULY 24, 2021
Ceramics and sculpture by Jason Wason, Jim Malone, Colin Pearson and David Hochhauser CASTLEGATE HOUSE GALLERY, COCKERMOUTH, CUMBRIA | 20TH CENTURY BRITISH & CONTEMPORARY ART
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Four Artists
Top: Jason Wason, Jim Malone Above: Colin Pearson and David Hochhauser
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nyone who visits Castlegate House cannot fail to have realised that alongside our passion for contemporary and 20th century British art, we have a passion for studio and contemporary ceramics. However, in almost ten years, we’ve not once focused an exhibition on them, they’ve always been the works we have on show alongside the specific exhibition of the moment. So, we thought it was about time to redress the balance, to showcase and focus the
gallery on works in three dimensions, with the “wall art” the backdrop not the focus. We decided to exhibit four artists, Jason Wason, Jim Malone, Colin Pearson and David Hochhauser. As introduced in this catalogue artist by artist, each have their own particular discipline which they have become master of or, in David’s case, produces early-career work far in advance of his years. We look forward to welcoming you. Steve and Christine Swallow
Details, clockwise from top left, from The Devil’s box of tricks, Jason Wason; Tall porcelain bottle, Jim Malone; Blue green winged vessel, Colin Pearson; Standing, David Hochhauser 3
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Jason Wason
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e recently travelled to visit Jason at his studio, just outside St Just in Cornwall; I think it must count as the most idyllic studio location we’ve ever encountered, helped no doubt by the clear blue sky echoing the tones of the sea. Jason is a ceramic artist and sculptor at the very top of his discipline. Recognised internationally as one of the foremost ceramic artists at work in the UK today, Jason was born in Liverpool in 1946, working at the famous Leach Pottery studio from 1976 to 1981 before embarking on his own adventure, setting
up his own studio that same final year, 1981. Since that day Jason has worked tirelessly, seeking perfection in what he creates; meaning through ceramic and bronze; a perfect marriage of form and aesthetic. We’ve known of Jason and his work for many years through numerous shows in London. Many prestigious collections house his work, including the V&A in London and the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. It goes without saying we’re extremely proud to be working with Jason.
Blue lidded vessel, ceramic, 19.5 x 36 cm 5
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Jason Wason
The Devil’s Box of Tricks - bronze, 10 x 47 x 46 cm
In 1650 James Ussher, the Archbishop of Armagh, announced that he had studied all the Patriachs’ lives in the Old Testament - who had “begat” who etc. - and with that knowledge and from his studies of Hebrew texts, he concluded that the entire world was created by God on Sunday 23 October, 4004BC. As he was an eminent scholar this information was taken as valid by the church authorities and was duly printed in Bibles of the day. In 1858 when Charles Darwin announced his Theory of Evolution, it sent many of the Church authorities into a spin. Many denounced his theory. There were major court cases at the time and debates raged throughout the clerical world and academia. It was even suggested by some that a 100 million-year-old ammonite had been put on earth by the Devil to trick us; the box you see here holds these “devil’s tricks”. 7
Jason Wason
Blue-black temple-top with red interior, ceramic, 20 x 26 cm
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Gold lidded jar with 12 studs, ceramic, 18.5 x 18 cm
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Jason Wason
The meeting, bronze, 23 x 86 cm
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Jason Wason
Oval lidded reliquary chamber, ceramic, 15 x 42.5 x 35 cm
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Jim Malone
Large dish, engraved grasses, sycamore ash glaze diameter 38 cm
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iving in the rural north of Cumbria, Jim is one of the most internationally celebrated and collected UK potters at work today. Potting in the true traditions of British pottery, using his self-built wood fired kiln to achieve a variety of truly wonderful forms and glaze finishes. Born in 1946, Jim attended the Camberwell School of Art, London from 1972 to 1976. During this time, he spent time on placement working with Ray Finch at the legendary and important Winchcombe Pottery, in Gloucestershire. For much of the 1980s Jim spent time teaching, passing on what he had learnt, but importantly what inspired him in the making of his pottery. He held positions
at Camberwell, Wrexham School of Art and until 1990, at Cumbria College of Art, Carlisle. Jim has been featured in numerous publications over the years, including British Studio Ceramics of the Twentieth Century; British Studio Pottery in the V&A Collection; A guide to Collecting Studio Pottery and Modern British Potters and Their Studios. Public bodies which hold Jim Malone’s work as part of their permanent collections include the Victoria and Albert Museum, Paisley Museum Glasgow, Liverpool Museum and Art Gallery and the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, amongst many others.
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Jim Malone
Top: Yunomi - tenmoku glaze with copper pours, height 9.5 cm Above: Yunomi - hakeme glaze, cobalt fish, height 10 cm 16
Tall porcelain bottle indented andcombed with ash and granite glaze. Height 46.5 cm
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Baluster jug with pellets - tenmoku glaze, height 31 cm 18
Jim Malone
Teabowl, hakeme glaze, iron pattern, 8.5 x 14.5 cm
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Colin Pearson (1923 - 2007)
Bronze winged vase stoneware, 25 x 14 cm
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e start this precis of Colin Pearson with an admission: we’re more than a little biased towards Colin’s work. As an artist in ceramics, for us he’s truly one of the greats. We’ve held a number of pieces in our own collection for many years and never tire of owning things with such visual beauty. Colin was born in 1923 and had an illustrious career, not only as a ceramic artist, but also as a teacher of the same. Studying at Goldsmiths, London, working under the legendary Ray Finch at Winchcombe Pottery, he went on to
Small winged vase , porcelain white and pink glaze, height 16.5 cm teach at both Camberwell College of Arts and the Medway School of Art. There are many well known potters and ceramicists who owe a debt of gratitude to Colin for all he imparted and inspired. Developing his craft, Colin became famous for his winged vessels, works that became more sculpture than studio pottery. Experimentation with glazes produced some astounding glaze colour and texture. Nothing ever awkward, everything balanced, potting like no one else then or since, Colin deserves the reputation he has, and more besides.
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Colin Pearson
Large blue winged bowl
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Colin Pearson
Large winged speckled brown vessel stoneware 30 x 31 cm
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Punctured winged vessel, wite and slate glaze, stoneware, 29 x 21 cm
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Colin Pearson
Blue green winged vessel, stoneware, 28 x 29 cm
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David Hochhauser
Walking man, height 20 cm. Bronze edition of four
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studio on the South Bank, the converted old TV studios immediately south of the Thames, next to the National Theatre.
However, in the last ten years we’ve probably accepted an opportunity presented in that manner no more than five or six times. David was one of those. We initially went to visit him at his
The photos didn’t (and don’t) do David’s work justice; tactile, organic and balanced, we’re very pleased to be showcasing his work.
ur usual route to spotting arttalent is when on our travels or visiting art school graduation shows. The other route is where artists approach us; this occurs on average four or five times each week, with artists looking for one-off shows or wider representation.
We were intrigued by his seemingly mature accomplished work, especially for an artist young in years (David was born in 1996 and is a recent graduate of City and Guilds London art school).
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David Hochhauser
Man with sword, height 2.5 cm. Bronze edition of four
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David Hochhauser
Running, falling, height 20.5 cm. Bronze edition of four
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Wing, height 25.5cm (inc base). Bronze unique sculpture
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Coin Head, height 16 cm. Jesmonite with bronze powder patination
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David Hochhauser
Twisting figure, height 19 cm. Bronze edition of four
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David Hochhauser
Standing, height 24.5cm. Bronze unique sculpture
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Castlegate House Gallery,Cockermouth, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 CA13 9HA 9HA Castlegate House Gallery, Cumbria, 38 www.castlegatehouse.co.uk www.castlegatehouse.co.uk | thegallery@castlegatehouse.co.uk | 01900 822149 or 07920 836 874