The Centre of Ceramic Art at York Art Gallery has launched an exhibition of sculptural works that are decidedly ‘not pots.’
The ‘Not a Pot’ exhibition honours the late Gordon Baldwin (1932-2025), who was credited by a York Art Gallery spokesperson as “moving pottery away from its more functional concerns onto a more sculptural platform.”
Themes including Surrealism, landscape, function, and the human figure all feature in the exhibition.
Notable works in the display include Bernard Leach’s ‘Leaping Salmon’ vase and William Staite Murray’s ‘Kwan Yin’ jar.
These pieces were donated by the Dean of York, Eric Milner-White, in 1959, and are part of an internationally significant collection of early 20th-century studio pottery.
The exhibition also features historical ceramics that have inspired modern artists.
Pictured: ‘Three Point Balance’ by Ewen Henderson (Image: The Estate of Ewen Henderson and York Museums Trust)
This includes two of the 30 surviving pots made by 17th-century Staffordshire potter Thomas Toft, whose decoration was admired by Pablo Picasso.
Other historical pieces include a 17th-century slipware owl, a 19th-century vase from Christopher Dresser’s Linthorpe Pottery, and Chinese tomb figures from the Tang period.
The bold works of Ewen Henderson, whose mixing of clays and firing of them to extreme temperatures “often had explosive results,” are exhibited.
Gillian Lowndes’ unique bricolage pieces, made of clay and found materials, also feature.
In ‘Essence of Slee,’ meanwhile, Richard Slee has filled a saltshaker with particles of clay to represent his creativity.
The exhibition also includes work from German émigré artist Hans Coper, who fled to the UK during the Second World War.
His pottery wheel, which he built and used to create many of his works, is on display at ‘Not a Pot.’
Visitors can also view pieces by Bryan Illsley, including paintings, wooden wall sculpture, and his ‘Climate Warning Helmet,’ a piece of protective headgear created from found pieces of metal.
Several of the exhibits have been reimagined as wearable costumes by local creator Textiles by Gnomes.
These include triangular teapots and jars, so that, in the words of a spokesperson, “all ages will be able to experience dressing like one of the objects in the exhibition.”
Dr Helen Walsh, curator of ceramics at York Art Gallery, said: “York Art Gallery’s extensive collection of ceramics encompasses such a broad range of styles, uses, and materials, many of which differ from traditional views or concepts of ceramic art.
“‘Not a Pot’ provides a space for these more unusual pieces to be seen and interpreted in a variety of ways.
“After the recent passing of Gordon Baldwin, this display draws attention to his prominence in the development and teaching of British Studio ceramics, and celebrates his talent as a potter.”
All ceramic exhibitions are included in York Art Gallery’s general admission ticket price.
For more information, visit yorkartgallery.org.uk.
