A new exhibition that brings together the newest creative talent in the region is opening at National portfolio organisation Devon Guild of Craftsmen's gallery in Bovey Tracey this month.
A new exhibition that brings together the newest creative talent in the region is opening at National portfolio organisation Devon Guild of Craftsmen's gallery in Bovey Tracey this month.
The biennial Get Fresh exhibition is designed as a refreshing take on what's new in craft and design and serves as a launchpad for those selected to show vibrant, experimental work.
This year the 16 makers have been chosen by John Grayson, Contemporary Craft Lecturer at Hereford College of Arts, Researcher at Birmingham City University and contemporary metal smith.
Traditional notions of craftmaking are challenged with plenty of new approaches. Jenny Ayrton (work pictured) captures miniature wonderlands in molten glass. She creates stage-sets upon which viewers may imagine their own stories - created by the volatile flow of liquid glass at 1000°C, into an impression in a tray of sand.
Altering aspects of the past is a clear theme: Chloe O' Brian's sculptural jewellery is made from reworked metal and vintage postcards. Elizabeth Loveday's refashioned fabric pieces and Hamish Kemp Evans' ceramics also use older, found materials, combined with experimental new methods. There is also a return to the drawing board: Sarah Brown (glass), Beatrix Baker (wood) and Helen Muir (papercut) all use meticulous drawings to produce their intricately beautiful objects.
Many exhibitors are graduates just finished training at Bristol or Plymouth Colleges of Art and Bath Spa, Falmouth or Plymouth Universities; others are self-taught makers who started their creative business in the last 5 years. The Guild knows that real world mentoring is crucial for new makers, as it already sells and promotes work by its 250 Members. Get Freshers can go on to become Associate Guild Members, supported with career development, peer reviews and education programmes. The exhibition should be a significant step towards building a successful creative career.
Exhibitors in Get Fresh '15 are Jenny Ayrton, Beatrix Baker, Sarah Brown, Chris Dunsby, Hamish Kemp Evans, Melanie Kew, Elizabeth Loveday, Frank Luckham, Alex McCarthy, Helen Muir, Chloe O'Brien, Angie Parker, Mary Pearson, Teresa Surman, Ambrose Vevers and Tessa Wakeling.
Get Fresh can be seen at Devon Guild of Craftsmen from 17 January to 8 March 2015, admission is free. For more information visit www.crafts.org.uk or join the conversation #GetFresh15