Adam Frew: Drawings & Pots

12 June – 11 August 2013

Potty about drawing? Adam Frew certainly is. From 12 June to 11 August, The Harley Gallery, Welbeck will be showing the first exhibition by the Northern Irish potter to show his celebrated pots alongside the drawings which inspire them.

Work will include pieces made following a short residency on the Welbeck Estate, home of The Harley Gallery. Nestled in the North Nottinghamshire countryside, the rolling hills, woodlands and artisan production of Welbeck have provided a special source of inspiration for Adam Frew’s work. 

Adam Frew is known for his sumptuous pots, rich with glossy glazes, luscious colours and expressive marks. This exhibition not only shows his large scale, beautiful ceramics and domestic ware but also the drawings which inform them. Enjoy a glimpse into the artist’s process and see how a softly sketched drawing of the local landscape is translated into the inky cobalt marks on Adam’s pots.

‘Spontaneity in my work is essential to inspiration.’

Working on the potter’s wheel, Adam is able to create his ceramics quickly and intuitively. His pots use playful techniques and unpredictable processes – his inspirations include glass blowing technique of cup-casing colours, wood firing and throwing into textured moulds. Layers of clay, swathes of coloured glazes and plaster-cast made marks adorn his expertly thrown vessels; the white porcelain becomes a canvas for his drawings.

‘I love drawing, making quick, free marks that capture a moment and often these marks feed into the language I use to decorate pots.’

Visit The Harley Gallery from 12 June – 11 August to see Adam Frew: Drawings and Pots. Glimpse the artist’s process and discover the local landscape through Adam Frew’s eyes.  The Harley Gallery is free to enter and is conveniently located between Mansfield and Worksop on the A60, 15 minutes from both the A1 and M1.