York gallery cooks up a new exhibition with chef Tom Kerridge
Michelin-star chef Tom Kerridge enlisted the help of Sheffield steel specialists last year to create his own range of knives, and now he’s back in the county again – but this time he’s set aside his cutlery in favour of crockery.
He’s joined forced with the Lotte Inch Gallery in Bootham, York, to co-curate Dish, an exhibition of plates, platters and more, which runs from March 10th to May 6th.
‘I was inspired to hear about Tom’s interest in supporting British Studio Potters and share in his belief that the plate that food is served on is as important as the food itself,’ explained gallery owner Lotte. ‘It seemed only right that this should be celebrated in an exhibition and, with this in mind, I decided I would ask Tom if he’d like to co-curate with me. Imagine my excitement when he said yes!’
Tom, owner of the award-winning Hand and Flowers pub and The Coach in Marlow, has been quietly making a name for himself as an industry champion for original, handmade ceramic tableware. In his restaurants, TV shows and books, he handpicks and collaborates with artist-makers from across the UK in an attempt to create a deeper connection with food and promote the skill and expertise of modern ceramicists.
This exhibition celebrates the relationships he has built with makers while highlighting the significance, both at the dining table and in the art gallery, of the not-so humble plate.
To this end, Tom and Lotte have carefully selected a range of plates, dishes, chargers, servers and platters that are both functional and decorative.
‘Each is definitely a work of art,’ said Lotte. ‘Elevating the simple dish to something much more than a surface to put your toast on.’
Among the artists featured at the York gallery are:
Marv Kitshaw and Diane Nicholson, who specialise in bespoke cookware, tableware, kitchen and homeware for the likes of Tom Kerridge and Burberry.
Reiko Kaneko, originally from Japan but now working in Stoke-on-Trent making refined porcelain and terracotta pieces with stunning glazes.
Sheffield-based Hannah Stanniforth, who throws and hand builds terracotta ceramics using controlled and uncontrolled methods of mark making. She applies coloured slips through monoprinting, graffito and slip trailing.
Isabel Denyer, who produces stoneware and porcelain pots at her studio near Tadcaster.
Gill Thompson, originally from Cornwall but now working in Shrewsbury on wholesome stoneware pieces, handcrafted for use in everyday life.
Tamsin Arrowsmith-Brown, who works in porcelain thrown on the wheel to create dainty, hand-decorated porcelain.
Sue Paraskeva, who produces finely thrown porcelain, including tableware, contemporary vessels, sculptural forms and installations. w
For details, visit lotteinch.co.uk
