‘Get Fresh’ - new exhibition launches South West talent

Get Fresh - exhibition of new South west designer-makers
17 January - 8 March 2015
Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9AF

Every two years, Devon Guild of Craftsmen fills their spacious gallery with objects designed to give a ‘re-freshing’ take on what’s new in craft and design. The biennial exhibition Get Fresh is a launchpad for the newest creative talent from the region – and sixteen makers have been chosen to show vibrant, experimental work.

Traditional notions of craftmaking are challenged with plenty of new approaches. Jenny Ayrton 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 also a 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 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. Tess Wakeling’s lighting designs have already been sold at the new Hauser and Wirth, Somerset. Ambrose Vevers was given a work placement with Carpenter Oak, Devon and Chloe interned in the studio of Guild Member and professional jewellery maker, Yume Martin.

The Guild knows that real world mentoring is crucial for new makers, as it already sells and promotes work by its 250 Members. The 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, which John Greyson (Get Fresh selection panel), says can enrich the South West by ‘the continued attraction of the region for graduates to set up their fledgling business’.

Exhibition is free admission, Open daily 10am-5.30pm. More information #GetFresh15

Exhibitors: 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. Selected by John Grayson*, Contemporary Craft Lecturer at Hereford College of Arts, Researcher at Birmingham City University and contemporary metal smith.

Events: Launch Friday 16 January 2015, 6-8pm. Wine, nibbles, formal speech. Book for dining: 01626 832223

Image: Jenny Ayrton, fused glass sculpture

For more information visit http://www.crafts.org.uk/home.aspx