Pottery Exhibition

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32114, 9 October 1969, Page 11

Pottery Exhibition

Four West Coast potters and the Coromandel potter, Barry Brickell, are showing their work at the Several Arts Gallery in Colombo Street. Barry Brickell has been working at Yvonne Rust’s kiln at Greymouth this winter and it is the work of these two potters that gives strength to the exhibition.

Yvonne Rust continues in the style of pottery she has developed Since moving to Greymouth but in numbers 31 and 32, “Standing Candlesticks,” function has been overpowered by ornament. Barry Brickell is one of New Zealand’s best-known potters and whether or not one responds to all the forms he creates there is no denying his command of materials. All aspects of his work look controlled and he is capable of providing infinite variation on a theme. His 21 exhibits include platters, jugs, bottles, beer mugs, a coffee set and fruit bowls. It is in respect of control that the other three exhibitors, Doug Mason, Hardy Browning and Robert Thorne, do not measure up in all departments. Hardy Browning has made considerable strides in throwing, and the scale of his pots has improved, but his work is often let down by small things such as a poor spout on a teapot or a syrupy glaze. Doug Mason uses slab work for all his entries. In most cases the slab seems too thick for the smaller pieces but is quite successfully used in one large planter.

Robert Thome shows only three works all of which are rather heavy in appearance. The exhibition will remain] open until October 17. —G.T.M.