FROM NATURE
27th September - 3rd October 2023

Private View: Thursday 28th September, 6-9pm. (All welcome)

A joint exhibition by Cotswold artists, Alison Vickery, painter and Tom Knowles Jackson, potter.

Artists, neighbours, friends, Alison and Tom have exhibited jointly a number of times and are struck with how well their art complements each others. It could be their common interest in the process and enjoyment in working with the materials, the history of the piece or the shared inspiration from the natural World?, but it works.

Alison is a well known local artist selling Worldwide. The landscape of the Cotswolds where she lives and the coast, which she visits frequently are favourite subjects, their changes, energy and atmosphere.

The focus of Alison’s process is drawing and mark making, responding to her subject to capture the feel and experience of being there. A line may suddenly follow the flight of a bird, or marks energetically convey the change in weather, light or colour.

Alison works extensively outside in sketch books in a range of media. She likes to let the process and history of the paintings show through, adding layers of interest and texture.

Alison’s work at Spring Cheltenham will include dynamic new pieces looking at the changing weather.

Tom makes functional pottery for the table, sideboard and oven that is inspired by the ceremony of eating and drinking, particularly by African and Eastern Traditions.

Tom’s work is thrown on a momentum wheel and made with stoneware and porcelain clays that are high fired using both gas and wood firing atmospheres to create refined pots which are, at the same time robust, reflecting his preference for form and function over decoration.  Tom's pottery is finished using a muted, natural palette of glazes and slips derived from locally foraged materials like wood ash and riverbed sediments.

In 2015 Tom was a finalist on the first series of The Great British Throwdown and it was this experience that prompted him to follow his passion in ceramics full time. 

Tom is taking this opportunity to exhibit a selection of his beautiful one off studio pieces along with his popular everyday range.