This exhibition celebrated my 50-year association with the RBSA Gallery. I first submitted some work in the Watercolour and Craftwork Open Exhibition May/June 1971. I entered two pots and a painting to the exhibition when I was a final year student at Madley College training to be a teacher. The head of painting, Bill Morris was an Associate of the RBSA and suggested that I should enter work into the Open exhibition.
For the Watercolour and Craftwork Open Exhibition, I exhibited two round pots and a gouache painting ‘Advocates Close’ Edinburgh. One of these pots is in the RBSA archive and the painting has been in many exhibitions, (eventually sold in the Scotsman Steps Exhibition Edinburgh Festival 1978).
From 1974-1978, I studied at Grays School of Art Aberdeen, and continued to study a postgraduate degree in ceramics. In May 1981, I established working in Lichfield ‘Rosehouse Pottery’ along with various teaching positions in Birmingham. I continued to make ceramics and exhibit my work, and later became an Associate and Member of the RBSA.
I always have produced stoneware and porcelain reduction fired pieces, either functional or decorative. Over the years as my skill and understanding have developed my work has also changed. When at Aberdeen during the postgraduate year, I worked with a tree theme and this sculptural form is still on going. This and the porcelain with the blue and white design are an important part of my style of work.
The majority of the work that was exhibited represents more recent ideas with some pieces made earlier. It showed some new ideas including mixing stoneware and earthenware clay for a darker more speckled body and working with glazes.
All images are taken from RBSA Archives.
You can find Andrew’s work available to buy in the Gallery shop!
Instagram: @andrewmathesonceramics
