CLIVE BOWEN THE DEVON POTTER
Feather I, 2017
kiln-formed glass wall panel W58 x D0.6 cms ÂŁ825
CLIVE BOWEN THE DEVON POTTER 1 - 29 November 2017
The Scottish Gallery is delighted to host Clive Bowen’s third solo exhibition as part of our 175th anniversary year programme. Clive Bowen was born in Cardiff in 1943. He studied painting and etching at Cardiff Art School before taking up an apprenticeship with Michael Leach at Yelland Pottery in North Devon from 1965 until 1969. In 1971 he bought a small agricultural property at Shebbear, near Holsworthy in North Devon and set up a workshop in the former farm outhouses where he still continues to work today. His pots are made in the local Fremington clay, a red earthenware clay in use for centuries for traditional North Devon wares.
‘The form and function of my work can be traced back to centuries-old pots such as English medieval jugs and early Tamba ware from Japan. There is such a wealth of forms contained within what we might loosely call ‘domestic ware’ that one lifetime is not enough to begin to explore all the possibilities. I love anonymous ethnic pots from all cultures and their feeling of life and freshness. My enthusiasm is still with the clay, the slip and the large wood-fired kiln. For me, wood firing brings the pots to life. I enjoy sitting around the table sharing meals with family and friends; my main preoccupation is always the function of the pieces. I want my pots to be used, not merely to sit in isolation on a shelf. I want them to be used to enhance the enjoyment of everyday life and of good food.’ Clive Bowen
Clive Bowen at his Noth Devon studio, 2017
Works in progress yet to be fired, Clive Bowen’s North Devon studio, 2017
Stag & Owl Casket, 2017 slip decorated white faience H25 x W26 x D17 cms £580
Tall Vase, 2017 glazed earthenware with a slip trail fish H54 x W26 cms £1,190 Tall Jar, 2017 glazed earthenware, sgraffito with a gold slip trail H64 x W35 cms £1,255
Large Lidded Jar with Handles (view one), 2017 glazed earthenware with sgraffito fish H57 x W28 cms ÂŁ1,255
Large Lidded Jar with Handles (view two), 2017 glazed earthenware with sgraffito fish H57 x W28 cms £1,255
Tall Black Bottle, 2017 glazed earthenware with a gold slip trail H76 x W42 cms ÂŁ1,820
Black Lidded Store Jar, 2017 glazed earthenware with a gold slip trail H52 x W36 cms £1,155
Yellow & Green Jar, 2017 glazed earthenware with a brown slip trail H55 x W25 cms £1,190
Large Medieval Jug, 2017 glazed earthenware with green and brown slip trails H62 x W16 cms ÂŁ1,110 Green Medieval Jug, 2017 glazed earthenware with a brown slip trail H54 x W16 cms ÂŁ875
Square Green & Yellow Platter, 2017 glazed earthenware with a brown slip trail H8 x W44 x D44 cms £525
Large Bowl, 2017 glazed earthenware with an indented rim H18 x W39 cms ÂŁ415
Large Round Platter, 2017 glazed earthenware with a green and yellow slip trail D55 cms ÂŁ550
Large Round Platter, 2017 glazed earthenware with brown and gold slip trails D55 cms ÂŁ550
Teapot, 2017 glazed earthenware with a brown slip trail, cane handle H30 x W26 cms ÂŁ245
Tall Vase, 2017 glazed earthenware with a brown and gold slip trail H60 x W26 cms ÂŁ1,670
Large Black Rectangular Platter, 2017 glazed earthenware with a gold slip trail H57 x W76 x D3 cms ÂŁ1,050
Large Yellow Rectangular Platter, 2017 glazed earthenware with a green slip trail H53 x W74 x D4 cms ÂŁ1,050
Small Bottle, 2017 earthenware with a honey glaze H15 x W13 cms ÂŁ50 Bottle, 2017 glazed earthenware with combing and a green slip trail H28 x W20 cms ÂŁ245
CLIVE BOWEN POTTERY FOR THE HOME There will be a full range of Clive’s domestic pottery suitable for the modern kitchen; side plates, dinner plates, salad bowls, serving bowls, soup bowls, platters, tea caddies, honey pots, casserole dishes and jugs. Works vary in price from £25. Each piece is unique and makes the experience of cooking and serving food a joy. ‘I enjoy sitting around the table sharing meals with family and friends; my main preoccupation is always the function of the pieces. I want my pots to be used, not merely to sit in isolation on a shelf. I want them to be used to enhance the enjoyment of everyday life and of good food.’ Clive Bowen
Clive Bowen’s Devon home, 2017
A selection of Clive Bowen’s plates and platters, 2017
Lidded Jars, 2017 glazed earthenware with slip trails H30 x W22 cms £350 each
Round Gold Jug, 2017 glazed earthenware with green and brown slip trails H36 x W22 cms £310
CLIVE BOWEN b. 1943 1943 Born Cardiff 1959 - 1963
Painting & Etching at Cardiff Art School
1965 - 1969 Apprenticeship with Michael Leach at Yelland Pottery in North Devon. 1971 Purchased a small agricultural property at Shebbear, near Holsworthy in North Devon and set up a workshop in the former farm outhouses where he still continues to work today. Public Collections include: Victoria and Albert Museum, London National Museum of Wales Ulster Museum; Northern Ireland Crafts Council Collection, London York City Art Gallery Stoke on Trent City Museum Winnipeg Art Gallery, Canada Mingeikan, Tokyo Mashiko Museum of Ceramics, Japan Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge
The Scottish Gallery would like to thank Clive and Rosie Bowen for their wonderful hospitality and for allowing access to their home and pottery. Published by The Scottish Gallery to coincide with the exhibition: CLIVE BOWEN - THE DEVON POTTER 1 - 29 NOVEMBER 2017 All rights reserved. No part of this catalogue may be reproduced in any form by print, photocopy or by any other means, without the permission of the copyright holders and of the publishers. Photography: Drew Raitt