Projects include working with artists developing their skills and confidence, bringing together artists with museums, collectors, architects, designers and decorators.
Projects
The Danish Embassy’s Film on Steffen Dam’s Cabinet of Curiosities
The Danish Embassy have made a short video documenting Steffen Dam’s Cabinet of Curiosities, including interviews with Joanna, Steffen and Isobel Dennis, Fair Director for COLLECT. We would like to thank the Embassy for their generosity in supporting important Danish artists, and for producing a fascinating film that truly captures the essence of Steffen’s masterpiece.
Projects
Serendipity
We are delighted to share with you a selection of beautiful works, all under £500. These pieces would make wonderful gifts. We can pack and arrange local delivery and international shipping.
View pdf (updated 15/06/2020)
Do get in touch if you would like to see the variety we have in the gallery in this range.
Pictured: Candlesticks by Carina Ciscato, Dry Kohiki Cup by Akiko Hirai, Maquettes by James Oughtibridge and Cloudy, White by Tanja Pak.
Projects, Foundation
‘Richard Batterham, Master Potter’ now on Vimeo On Demand
We are delighted to announce that the film Richard Batterham, Master Potter is now available to watch for free on Youtube. To secure a physical DVD copy of the film for £14, please purchase by contacting the Joanna Bird Foundation Office 0208-995-9960 or email info@joannabirdfoundation.com.
The Joanna Bird Foundation felt it was imperative to make a film about Richard Batterham – a potter of great distinction and the last practicing potter in England trained by Bernard Leach. He is a prime example of how one man with due talent, diligence and discipline can achieve a remarkable and successful lifetime’s work making pots which truly enhance life. Having completed his last firing over summer 2019 this film is essential material for those who admire and are inspired by Richard’s work.
“This fine documentary is a deep dive into one man’s world of making, and the philosophy behind a life in pottery. The sense of accumulation – of time, of clay, of conviction – is palpable in every shot. We also hear from the magnificent David Attenborough and master chef Nigel Slater (who begins every day with his Batterham breakfast bowl). Their voices remind us that often, the most meaningful things in life are rooted in the everyday, indeed, in the dirt beneath our feet.”
– Glenn Adamson. Senior Research Scholar, Yale Centre of British Art
You can also purchase the film on Vimeo On Demand here, which can then be downloaded or watched on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast.
Directed by Alex J. Wright
Producer and Interviewer Joanna Bird
Produced by the Joanna Bird Foundation
Exhibitions, Projects
Joanna Bird at CAL’s Claytalks
This year as part of Ceramic Art London’s Claytalks Joanna will be delivering an overview of her varied career. From the early days of creating pots at Wenford Bridge Pottery with mentor Michael Cardew to running a successful Art Gallery. Joanna will be discussing her charity the Joanna Bird Foundation, how and why she created it and the films she is so passionate about making. Join us for the talk on Saturday 23rd at Ceramic Art London, Central Saint Martins.
Ceramic Art London
Lecture Theatre
Central Saint Martins
King’s Cross
Saturday 23 March
1.00 – 2.00 pm
Exhibitions, Projects
2 on 3 dimensions – Joanna Bird and Elizabeth Fritsch in Conversation at the Fitzwilliam Museum
23 May 2018
1.15pm
As part of the programme alongside Things of Beauty Growing: British Studio Pottery exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Elizabeth Fritsch CBE and Joanna Bird will be in conversation discussing Elizabeth’s work and career.
Admission is by token, one per person, available at the Courtyard Entrance desk on a first-come first-served basis from 12.45 on the day of the talk. Induction loop available.
http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/calendar/whatson/conversation-2-3-dimensions
Exhibitions, Projects
Joanna Bird talk at Messums Wiltshire
Sat 29 April 2017
Making a collection: Abstraction in clay
Messums Wiltshire welcomes Anthony Shaw, founder of The Anthony Shaw Collection and Joanna Bird, consultant curator to Material: Earth to discuss Anthony’s collection which is on long term loan to CoCA, York Museums Trust.
It is one of Britain’s most important private collections of modern studio ceramics. A major holding of over 1200 works by some eighty artists acquired over 44 years. Within it there are important works by Lucie Rie, Hans Coper, Sara Radstone, Ewen Henderson, Gordon Baldwin and Gillian Lowndes amongst others. A couturier, Anthony has travelled widely from his early childhood, educated by these experiences he appreciates ceramics as Art and has developed a very personal aesthetic.
They will be talking about how the collection came about, specific influences, where is has been housed and how Anthony has engaged with its development.
Booking is strongly advised with tickets costing £10.00 or £15.00 on the door and are available here.
Making a collection: Abstraction in clay.
Messums Wiltshire
Place Farm
Court Street
Tisbury
SP3 6LW
11.00 – 12.00
Sat 29 April 2017
Booking: Advised
Tickets: £10.00
Exhibitions, Projects
Joanna Bird at London Craft Week 2017
03 May 2017
British potter Chris Keenan, Fashion designer, Margaret Howell and Joanna Bird, ceramics consultant and curator, discuss the similarities in their process to work, searching out truth to materials and authenticity.
Chris began working with clay in his mid-thirties when he began a two year apprenticeship with Edmund de Waal. His collection includes beakers, bowls, cups, teapots, jugs and pots for flowers. Most recently, Chris spent six weeks as Artist-in-Residence at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art in Japan working with local clays and glazes. He was invited to fire work in the salt-glaze and noborigama kilns of Tomoo Hamada.
Margaret Howell has been designing understated, high-quality clothes since 1970. Inspired by nature, mid-20th-century furniture design and figures such as Mr James Dean and artist Mr Ben Nicholson, Ms Howell’s vision is unerringly tasteful, assured and practical.
Booking is essential as places on the tour are limited, tickets cost £9.60 and are available here.
Those on the tour will be met between 10.40 – 10.50, at South London Gallery, 65-67 Peckham Road, SE5 8UH and continue on to Vanguard Court.
In Conversation at Vanguard Studio
SE5 8QT
11.00 – 12.00
03 May 2017
Booking: Necessary
Tickets: £9.60
Exhibitions, Projects
Material: Earth at Messums Wiltshire
12 March – 1 May 2017
This exhibition demonstrates how artists have explored the language of ceramics over the last seventy years. The aim is to convey a flavour of personal approaches to clay, from pots we use every day to abstract conceptual sculpture. Messums invited Joanna to join the exhibition as a consultant curator to advise and facilitate making this an exciting and well rounded exhibition.
Exhibiting artists include:
Felicity Aylieff, Sam Bakewell, Gordon Baldwin, Alison Britton, Christie Brown, Sandy Brown, Adam Buick, Stephanie Buttle, Hans Coper, Michael Eden, Philip Eglin, Elizabeth Fritsch, Malene Hartmann Rasmussen, Ewen Henderson, Gillian Lowndes, Geoffrey Mann, Alexander MacDonald- Buchanan, Grayson Perry, Richard Slee, Julian Stair, Kaori Tatebayashi, Annie Turner, Bouke de Vries, Edmund de Waal
Place Farm, Court St, Tisbury,
Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6LW
Projects, Foundation
Richard Batterham Film – We need you!
The Joanna Bird Foundation is currently fundraising for our next project, a film about potter Richard Batterham.
Richard is a master potter and represents an increasingly rare breed. He is one of the last surviving exponents of the studio pottery movement that flourished in the first half of the twentieth century and is a direct link to towering figures of the past such as Bernard Leach and Michael Cardew. The film will be the first of a series to be made by The Joanna Bird Foundation.
We are very excited to be working with Sir David Attenborourgh and Nigel Slater, who will be contributing to the film. Both have strong connections with ceramics and are great admirers of Richard and his work.
This year Richard is eighty, still running what is essentially a one-man show at his studio in Dorset. Rejecting notions of haste and commercialism that he feels are all too present in modern society he works with tide-like regularity digging his own clay and preparing glazes from the trees in his garden. His work is based on his philosophy and the resulting pieces are not only beautiful to behold and satisfying to use but imbued with a deep integrity. Tanya Harrod has said of his work, “These pots are for us – ordinary people – not for museums.” This holds true, his notable fan club love and use his pots daily and Museums have also found his work irresistible, the V&A amongst many others have acquired his work.
We will be working with award winning arts filmmaker, Alex J. Wright who has created films on Takeshi Yasuda, and Lisa Hammond among others. His recent piece Lee Kang-hyo: Onggi Master is currently being shown as part of the Crafts Council’s Real to Reel film festival. Alex is well qualified to take on this project, he is passionate about pottery and the culture surrounding it.
The film will help to make a significant contribution to the world of art and craft in particular by informing and inspiring future generations whilst preserving the legacy of this truly remarkable man, one of the few surviving Mingei artists, our National Living Treasure.
Richard Batterham, Master Potter is available on DVD with all proceeds going to the Joanna Bird Foundation.
£12 + P&P
To order your copy, please contact info@joannabirdfoundation.com
Visit our website to see more of the work that we do: https://www.joannabirdfoundation.com/
Exhibitions, Projects
Joanna Bird at London Craft Week
As part of London Craft Week, Joanna will be leading a curated tour around the artists’ studios of Vanguard Court in South London.
The group will visit the studios of selected artists; Carina Ciscato, Robert Cooper, Chris Keenan and Henry Pim whose work clearly demonstrates the versatility of clay as a medium.
Joanna will be introducing this very special event and giving her view on contemporary studio practices and how they relate to the historic Studio Pottery Movement.
The tour combines a fascinating look into the life of these artists – their busy studio practices – the thoughts and inspirations behind their unique creations. Get the chance to meet the artists, watch them at work and hear more about their creative practice.
Booking is essential as places on the tour are limited, tickets cost £18 and are available here
Those on the tour will be met between 13.40 – 13.50, at South London Gallery, 65-67 Peckham Road, SE5 8UH and continue on to Vanguard Court.
Vanguard Studio Tour
SE5 8QT
14.00 – 15.30
03 May 2016
Booking: Necessary
Tickets: £18
Meeting location:
South London Gallery
65 – 67 Peckham Road
Camberwell
SE5 8UH
Exhibitions, Projects
Decorex International 2015
20 - 23 September 2015
Joanna is delighted to let you know that she and David Mlinaric will be curating the Sir John Soane’s Museum stand at Decorex International Fair this year.
This project has a theme, working to recreate the iconic Regency architectural style of Robert and James Adam with new designs from the Museum’s licensees. These design houses are leaders in their fields and include: Ossowski, Chesney’s, Haddenstone’s, Hector Finch Lighting, Jonathan Burden, Locker & Riley, The Odd Chair Company and Surface View. They have all worked closely with the Museum, researching the Adam drawings in the collection as a source of inspiration for their designs.
In other Decorex news, it is a pleasure to announce that Carina Ciscato will be exhibiting as part of the Future Heritage stand.
Decorex International opens on the 20 – 23 September 2015 at Syon Park, London.
Visit the Sir John Soane’s Museum on stand B21.
Projects, Commissions
Carina Ciscato at No. 8 St James Square
No. 8 St James Square, a Green Property project, designed by Eric Parry Architects, showing work by Carina Ciscato acquired through Joanna Bird.
Carina produced a total of 31 porcelain vessels which are displayed in a four tier cabinet measuring L 226 x W 50 cm situated inside the entrance lobby of No. 8.
Projects
The North Sketch Sequence Publication
Joanna Bird has published a book to accompany The North Sketch Sequence by Jacob van der Beugel at Chatsworth.
The North Sketch Sequence is the largest contemporary ceramic installation ever to be installed in a Grade II listed house. Made up of 659 handmade ceramic panels, the work depicts the DNA sequence of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.
The publication includes essays by respected experts, who explore the dynamics between art, science and architecture. The publication also follows the four year journey from conception to installation of the work along with full colour images of the installation at different times of day, captured in different lights.
The book launch was held at the Architectural Association Bookshop on 2 June 2015.
The publication also includes contributions from respected experts in their fields:
Richard Cork
Emma Crichton-Miller
The Duke of Devonshire KCVO, CBE, DL
Peter Inskip MBE
Sandy Nairne
Michael White
Jacob van der Beugel
Joanna Bird
The North Sketch Sequence publication is now available to buy at the price of £8 (+1.60 UK p&p). To order please email your details to info@joannabird.com
Exhibitions, Projects
Joanna Bird at Chesney’s London
Joanna Bird presents a selection of curated works at Chesney’s the new showroom in Battersea. Joanna chose vibrant ceramic works to complement Chesney’s period and contemporary luxury fireplaces.
Chesney’s
194 – 200 Battersea Park Road,
London, SW11 4ND
Monday-Friday 9:00am-5.30pm, Saturday 10.00am-5.00pm
by appointment
Exhibitions, Projects
Carina Ciscato at Chesney’s New York
Coinciding with the Inspired by Soane launch at Chesney’s New York, Carina Ciscato is exhibiting new works including a series of roundels, which she developed as part of the Marking the line: Ceramics and Architecture.
Chesney’s New York
Suite 1119, 11th Floor, D&D Building,
979 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Monday-Friday 9:00am – 5.00pm
Projects, Commissions
The North Sketch Sequence by Jacob van der Beugel at Chatsworth
The North Sketch Sequence is an entire ceramic room created using textured, handmade ceramic panels created by artist, Jacob van der Beugel. Lining the walls of the North Sketch Gallery each of the 659 warm, ochre coloured panels is unique and can fit only in one place. It is the most ambitious permanent ceramic installation ever to be constructed in a Grade I listed house.
Using samples from the Duke and Duchess, their son Lord Burlington and his wife Lady Burlington, the panels are embedded with a depiction of the Devonshire family’s DNA. Aspects of each individual’s personality are captured on raised ceramic blocks representing their personal DNA strand in an unusual and creative take on the traditional portrait.
It is a major work of art, and in the Duke of Devonshire’s words, ‘The most important addition to the house since the Sculpture Gallery was added in 1832.’ It is also the largest handmade contemporary ceramic installation ever to be installed in a country house.
The North Sketch Sequence is a landmark in Jacob’s career as both conceptual artist and master craftsman. It took four years to complete the project, completely covering the 20m long gallery. The panels are a new departure for Jacob, and he is now looking to extend his practice further by exploring new wall-mounted forms leading on from The North Sketch Sequence.
“A beautiful poetic work which is exemplary in the way it manages to turn information (of which we have so much, and which usually leaves us so cold) into art (which touches our hearts).”
Alain de Botton on The North Sketch Sequence
The installation also won the prestigious CODAaward for best interior in the residential category. The annual CODAaward celebrates the best design and art projects from all over the world. Jacob’s installation was chosen from over 336 entries from 32 countries.
The North Sketch Sequence is on permanent display at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, UK.
Exhibitions, Projects
Joanna Bird at Suzanne Lovell Inc
In November 2013, Joanna Bird visited Chicago for a pop-up exhibition in the studio of renowned interior designer Suzanne Lovell. The show coincided with SOFA Chicago, where Joanna had a stand and Suzanne had designed the VIP room.
Showing a range of contemporary and historic works in a variety of media, Joanna and Suzanne gave a talk about the importance of decorative arts within the home and the three dimensional experience.
Exhibitions, Projects, Foundation
Marking the line: Ceramics and Architecture
7 March - 8 September 2013
Marking the line: Ceramic and Architecture was a touring exhibition, which commissioned four artists to create ceramic installations responding to the life and works of Sir John Soane. Curated by Joanna Bird and Dr Jerzy Kierkuć-Bieliński, Exhibitions Curator at Sir John Soane’s Museum, the exhibition sought to challenge where and how we view ancient and modern works of art.
Ceramic artists Nicholas Rena, Carina Ciscato, Clare Twomey and Christie Brown were commissioned to create life specific responses to celebrated neoclassical architect Sir John Soane, inspired by his work, life and collections. The concept was, by introducing contemporary ceramic art into an historic architectural setting to explore the relationship between ceramics and architecture.
The exhibition opened at Sir John Soane’s Museum on March 8, 2013 and then travelled onto two further houses designed or partially designed by Soane: Port Eliot in Cornwall and Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing.
Very different dialogues between work and historic setting emerged as the exhibition translated from one venue to the next. In Port Eliot for example, themes of dynasty in Christie Brown’s work resonated not only with the life of Soane but also with that of the St.Germans family at Port Eliot, so much so that Christie produced a further two pieces, busts of the 1st Lord & Lady St Germans, to enhance the exhibition.
‘This is a fascinating exhibition with contemporary artists taking inspiration from one of our most visionary architects. This is a show that should attract anyone with an interest in art, design and architecture and I hope it will introduce many more people to Soane’s work and legacy, including his gem of a Museum in Holborn and his home at Pitzhanger Manor.’ – Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
An educational programme accompanied the exhibition, including a symposium at Somerset House, Masterclasses run by Carina Ciscato and a Village of kilns at Port Eliot.
Marking the line: Ceramics and Architecture was supported by the Arts Council England and organised by The Joanna Bird Foundation
A fully illustrated catalogue is now available to buy at the price of £10 (+1.60 p&p). To order please email your details to info@joannabirdfoundation.com
Visit our website to see more of the work that we do: https://www.joannabirdfoundation.com/
