Exhibition: 'John Atkin: The Made and the Unmade'

Sttudies for Smart Gill 2; Studies for Smart Gill 1
John Atkin
Date 30/04/2022 at 10.00 - 01/05/2022 at 17.00 Where Combination Room, Wolfson College

Our new exhibition, 'The Made and the Unmade' by John Atkin, is born out of an earlier series of wall-based artworks by the artist entitled 'The Pendulum Reliefs', which have been exhibited throughout North America.

Sttudies for Smart Gill 2; Studies for Smart Gill 1

These artworks have developed from John Atkin’s interest in pattern-blocks (tailors’ patterns), which at one and the same time are elegant abstract forms as well as found-objects that allude to human identity. The human figure is at its core to, as is the objet-trouvé tradition in Modern and Contemporary Fine Art practice

The overwhelming majority of this work is hand-wrought, using traditional skills such as découpage, drawing, and painting which have led to the juxtaposition of digital methods as seen in this exhibition.

Also on display are a series of drawings, sketchbook pages, and ceramic sculptures, derived from Atkin’s research into C14th plumb bobs. These measuring instruments have been used ever since ancient Egypt and pinpoint the nadir; the downward-facing point of a specific location as dictated by gravity. This description is almost human, and Atkin’s interest in this historic variety of plumb bobs is their figurative references, as well as his interest in found objects and their resonance to the human figure.

Exhibition opening times

Saturdays and Sundays 10.00-17.00, from Sat 26 March - Sun 1 May.

Please contact the Porters' Lodge in advance of your visit (01223 335900).

What's on

A dark brown vase with orange symbol on in front of a blurred background of more pottery on shelves.

Art Exhibition: Ceramics in the Bernard Leach Tradition

28/04/2024 at 10.00

A display of works from the Bradshaw-Bubier studio pottery collection.