Galerie Besson is pleased to announce its return to SOFA (Sculptural Objects and Functional Art fair) Chicago this year with an exciting group of work by ten renowned ceramic artists.
We will be presenting some excellent examples of the work of Hans Coper (1920-1981) and Lucie Rie (1902-1995), including an early barrel-shaped pot (illustrated) by Hans Coper that was exhibited at the major exhibition of Hans Coper and Lucie Rie at the Barbican Art Gallery, London.
The work of another two classic British artists, Ewen Henderson (1934-2000) and Colin Pearson (1923-2007) will also be on display. Henderson is internationally respected for his original constructions - vessels and other sculptural work, variously coloured and with richly textured surfaces. Colin Pearson was also one of Britain’s most eminent ceramic artists – particularly esteemed for his highly individual vessels, of which we will be showing thee fine examples.
We will present new works by three contemporary British ceramists as well. Annie Turner’s (b. 1958) work draws inspiration from the river banks and mud flats of her native Suffolk, her works often bearing the imprints of found objects from the shoreline. Neil Brownsword (b. 1968) also takes insight from his environment, this time from the derelict pottery factories of Stoke-on-Trent in the North of England. By collecting and re-using these various scraps, the fusings and meltings he has found from the factory floor, Brownsword regenerates this material into structures and landscapes with various levels of meaning. Lastly a large stoneware dish by Gordon Crosby (b. 1938) demonstrates this artist’s painterly touch.
Four large scale works from the early 1990’s will accompany Claudi Casanovas’ (b.1956) more recent ceramics – and will all be set against his new large scale etchings. The Spanish artist has recently taken a break from clay work after his immense monument against Fascism “To the Fallen” in 2004, but is preparing for a new exhibition at Galerie Besson in summer 2009.
Finally we will be taking a special group of works by three Japanese artists: Yasuhisa Kohyama (b. 1936), Shozo Michikawa (b. 1953), and the much celebrated National Living Treasure Tatsuzo Shimaoka (1919-2007), who sadly passed away last year.
We have a number of complimentary tickets available to the fair. Please email us for details.
Full details of the SOFA fair can be found on their website at www.sofaexpo.com