Peter Humpherson – Ceramic
27th June – 2nd August
Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton le Hole, North Yorkshire

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An interesting collaboration between a potter and a Museums Trust results in a show which will delight followers of contemporary ceramics when it opens on the 27 June at the gallery space in the Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton-le-Hole.

York based potter, Peter Humpherson, acts as curator for a show, in which his ceramics will be complemented by a selection of pots from York Museums Trust. These include work by some of the most influential names in contemporary ceramics today such as David Lloyd-Jones, Jim Malone, Richard Batterham, Alex McErlain, Ray Finch Joanna Constantinidis and Mick Casson.

Andrew Dalton, curator of The Gallery says: “This is the first time that York Museums Trust have loaned work to the Gallery and it is a fantastic opportunity to see an important group of works by potters who have inspired Peter Humpherson during his career.”

Peter Humpherson brings a sense of Scotland to the Yorkshire Dales with his new work which is inspired by the coastline of western Scotland.
He comments:
“It’s been a delight to have been involved in the selection of pots from the York Museums Trust collection for this exhibition, alongside Andrew Dalton of the Ryedale Folk Museum and Helen Walsh, Assistant Curator of Decorative Arts at York Museums Trust.  Focused on thrown stoneware of complementing styles, it’s a real privilege to have my work shown alongside some of the names that inspired me to become a potter in the first place, in particular David Lloyd-Jones. “

His new group of ceramics which explore the textures, colours and shapes of the coastal landscape. His signature stoneware bowls highlight the impact of the landscape on his work. Unglazed stoneware in the body of his pots suggests the tone and texture of sand, while his use of aquatic blue-green glazes implies sea water or rockpools.  This is the first time he has shown his new group of sculptural ceramics, based upon the forms of razor clam shells, which offer a new direction in Humpherson’s previous practice, moving away from his predominantly horizontal functional pots towards vertical ceramic forms which are sculptural, reflective and formally innovative.

Andy Dalton, since taking on the role of curator for the gallery space, which is attached to a rural folk museum in Hutton le Hole, is developing an unlikely centre for a challenging arts programme.

This is the second show in a series, running from May to December, that celebrates the Fired Arts in North Yorkshire, and features a selection of the region's designer-makers who work in ceramic, metal and glass. More info on the  gallery programme through their blog at www.galleryatryedalefolkmuseum.blogspot.com

Ceramic will run from the 27 June to the 2 August in the gallery at the Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton le Hole, on the North Yorkshire Moors. The gallery is open daily from 10am – 4.30pm, admission to the gallery is free but visitors need to pay to visit the museum.
The Gallery is at  Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton le Hole,  North Yorkshire YO62 6UA. For more information telephone 01751 417 367,  email gallery@ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk or visit www.ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk 

Ends

For further press information and high res images please contact: Jane Redfern tel 01845 526720 email pr@janeredfern.co.uk / or contact Andrew Dalton, Ryedale Folk Museum, Telephone 01751 417 367 / Email gallery@ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk

Editors Notes
Andy Dalton, who manages the Gallery at Ryedale Folk Museum, spent eight years as a Curatorial Officer at Tate St. Ives and more recently was Curator of Art at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford.

Gallery 2009 Programme

This year's programme offers an exciting mix of contemporary and heritage exhibitions. Between March and May the Gallery explores Ryedale's heritage with exhibitions featuring the Harrison Collection and the work of self-taught painter William Leng.
From May to December the Gallery will have a series of exhibitions that celebrate the Fired Arts in North Yorkshire, featuring a selection of the region's designer-makers who work in ceramic, metal and glass.
FIRED
2nd May – 14th June / Ryedale Artists and Makers:
27th June – 2nd August / Peter Humpherson: Ceramic
22nd August – 11th October / Gillies Jones: Glass
17th October – 18th December / David Stephenson: Metal
York Museums Trust
York Museums Trust is an independent charitable trust which manages York Castle Museum, Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, York Art Gallery and York St Mary's. The buildings and their contents are owned by the City of York Council, which has agreed to long-term funding of the Trust. The interim Chairman is Denise Jagger and the Chief Executive is Janet Barnes.

Peter Humpherson - Potter

My interest in art and specifically pottery has been a long one, although I have only recently focused purely on ceramics since retiring from full time employment at York University.
I make mainly functional pots to cook with or to bring food to the table, although in the past year I have been exploring more abstract / sculptural forms and sculpture.
Each year I spend time walking in the west coast of Scotland, particularly around the Ardnamurchan peninsular, and the collection of my work in this exhibition reflects the colours, natural shapes and textures of this dramatic yet gentle coastline. 
It’s been a delight to have been involved in the selection of pots from the York Museums Trust collection for this exhibition, alongside Andrew Dalton of the Ryedale Folk Museum and Helen Walsh, Assistant Curator of Decorative Arts at YMT.  Focused on thrown stoneware of complementing styles, it’s a real privilege to have my work shown alongside some of the names that inspired me to become a potter in the first place, in particular David Lloyd-Jones.