Review of this exhibition by Nicole Hollingworth, PSAD student and Friends trustee.
Lucie Rie (1902-1995) remains one of the 20th Century’s most influential and iconic potters. Her exceptional work, as this exhibition showcases, was steeped in the modernist tradition and it was a treat to see around 100 of her pots beautifully displayed here. The simple beauty and elegance of her work was certainly inspiring to this enthusiastic, but amateur, potter. I was desperate to get back to my class at PSAD to ‘have a go’ at emulating her style. I know the two fellow students from my class were equally awestruck.
Over a 60 year career Rie constantly honed and refined her work to create a ‘style’ that was distinctly her own in terms of the shapes and surface textures she produced and which remains as an enduring legacy of her talent.
A beautiful catalogue, Lucie Rie, The Adventure of Pottery accompanies the exhibition. As well as stunning photographs this volume includes a collection of essays by, amongst others, Edmund de Waal, that offer new insights into Lucie Rie’s life and work. For those who are interested in a more comprehensive biography the late Emmanuel Cooper’s book, Lucie Rie. Modernist Potter, is an excellent read.
Of course the added incentive for visiting this exhibition is the venue itself. Kettle’s Yard, the former home of Jim and Helen Ede is filled with their collection of important 20th Century British and European Art as well as found and natural objects. To name but a few, there are works by Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Winifred Nicholson, Edward Wallis, Christopher Wood, Lucie Rie……the list goes on. The house that Ede left in the care of Cambridge University remains exactly as it was and a short, informal tour by one of the Kettles’s Yard guides is time well spent.
Address: Kettle’s Yard, University of Cambridge, Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AQ
Open: Until 25 june, Daily except Monday: 11.00–17.00.
Please note from 25 April there will be an admission charge for the Kettle’s Yard House.
Tickets: General: £10.50 (£12 with donation) /Art Fund: £5.25 /University of Cambridge Student: Free /Friend of Kettle’s Yard: Free
You can see more details Here.
Review and photographs by Nicole Hollingworth.
