MADE TO THINK: WORK BY WEST DEAN TUTORS
24 July - 31 August
Wednesdays - Sundays
11.30am - 4pm
Anyone who has attended a short course at West Dean College will know of the level of teaching expertise demanded of its course tutors. “This exhibition will demonstrate the high standard of craftsmanship of some of the internationally renowned artists who regularly share their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm with West Dean’s students” said Head of Short Courses, Alison Baxter. Rod Nelson exhibits with Merlyn and works with her as a tutor at West Dean. He read architecture at Kings College, Cambridge and has been involved in design and woodcut printmaking for many years. Maxine Relton’s work is held in private collections in many countries, has received a number of awards and has featured in various publications as well as on television. She has recently been elected as an Academician at the Royal West of England Academy. Sarah van Niekerk is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, a Royal West of England Academician, a member of the Society of Wood Engravers (Chairman 1995-98) and an Honorary Member of The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. She frequently exhibits work at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and Bankside Gallery. Kate Dicker is an artist and printmaker, specialising in wood engraving. She was first introduced to this print medium at Camberwell College of the Arts by John Lawrence. And her work can be seen with at The Bankside Gallery, London (The Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers) and with The Society of Wood Engravers’ Touring Exhibition. Peter Clothier is a sculptor and has always been interested in Inuit carvings and Japanese netsuke. He works with a wide variety of materials including wood, bronze, clay and stone, seeing how the material influences the form and surface the finished piece. Daphne Krinos has shown her work in many exhibitions in the UK, Europe, the USA and Japan. Her jewellery is made in precious metals, mainly silver and gold. She often uses translucent precious gemstones in her designs. Hiroshi Suzuki trained at the Musashimo Art University, Toyko, Camberwell College of Art London and completed an MA in Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery at the Royal College of Art. He has exhibited widely and has won several international design prizes including the Bavarian State prize in 2006. Mary Butcher is a basketmaker, exhibition curator, writer and teacher. Recent solo exhibitions include 'Encircled by Lines', and in 2007 she was the curator of 'East Weaves West' in Brighton. Julia Hedges trained in woven textiles at John Moores University and now specialises in ply-split braiding, following research in India. She is a member of the Braid Society.
This summer twelve individual tutors have been selected to exhibit their work at the Sussex Barn Gallery, at West Dean College from 24th July until 31st August.
Profiles of the twelve internationally-renowned artists
Merlyn Chesterman is a printmaker and painter and graduated from Bath Academy of Art, Corsham. She worked in Asia for 20 years before setting up a studio in Britain.
Susan Cross who trained at Middlesex, won the Jerwood applied arts prize in 2007. Her work explores the interface between textiles and jewellery and is in many public collections.
Shozo Michikawa is one of the leading Japanese ceramists and has recently exhibited at Galerie Besson, London. His inspiration is from the natural scenery of his country.