Refined ceramic elegance – John Ward

 

 

John Ward--Small Tulip Pot, c. 1985

Small Tulip Pot

 

 

John Ward exhibition – Erskine, Hall and Coe

London, 2019

 

There is something compelling about the making of pots, regardless of function, which keeps me within the particular sphere; they are the focus of some many interests and associations. My aim is to make pots which have simple forms with integral decoration and aspects which can interact with the environment in interesting ways; to try and express a balance between these dynamic qualities and a sense of stillness or containment. Form above all, but expressed through light and colour’ – John Ward

Ward, now in his eighties, is one of the most distinguished of the modern British potters, having studied under Hans Coper and Lucie Rie at the Camberwell School of Arts & Crafts in the 1960’s.

His works are simple and complex, both in their forms and decoration.  Whilst Ward is best known for his black and white vessels, our exhibition features a selection of these alongside a varied range of colours and scale.  Ward has said of his style,

‘Living near the sea has probably had an effect on the banded decoration I use, either reflecting the movement of water and waves or the dips and folds of the strata revealed in cliff faces. This in turn has affected form.’

Influenced by the clean and pure forms of ancient Chinese and Egyptian pre-glaze pottery, early Cypriot pottery and early Persian bowls, Ward uses flattened coils of clay and a pinched base to produce the hollow forms that characterise his sculptural vases. Ancient influences are accompanied by an interest in varying aspects seen in the work of more recent and acclaimed potters;  the formal strength of Hans Coper, Lucie Rie’s use of light and colour and Ian Godfrey’s experimentation with form and texture. Sometimes altered by cutting and rejoining to create ridges and grooves between curving surfaces, a pebble is then used to burnish the work. Ward’s pots are twice-fired in a kiln and he uses only matt glazes.

 

Exhibition running till 1st June 2019

Erskine, Hall & Coe Ltd
15 Royal Arcade
28 Old Bond Street
London W1S 4SP

+44 (0) 20 7491 1706
[email protected]
www.erskinehallcoe.com

 

 

 

John Ward--White Vessel--28cm height

John Ward — White Vessel

28cm height

 

 

John Ward---Large-Shouldered-Bowl,-c.-1980

John Ward—Large Shouldered Bowl

c.1980

 

 

John Ward--Tulip Pot 23.5cm

John Ward–Tulip Pot

Stoneware 23.5cm height

 

 

john ward-Striped Bowl, c. 1985

John Ward – Striped Bowl

c. 1985

 

 

John Ward-Shouldered Vessel, c. 1980

John Ward-Shouldered Vessel, c. 1980

 

John Ward-- Rounded Pot with Squared Top and Green Banding, c. 1995

John Ward– Rounded Pot with Squared Top and Green Banding

c. 1995

 

JohnWard-blue vessel

John Ward – Blue Vessel

 

 

John Ward-Monumental White Form with Green Banding, c. 1996 43cm H

John Ward — Monumental White Form with Green Banding,

c. 1996

43cm Height Stoneware

 

 

John Ward exhibition, London

John Ward exhibition, London

Erskine, Hall & Coe

 

 

John Ward exhibition, London

John Ward exhibition, UK

 

 

John Ward-Pale Vessel, c. 1990---32 x 24 x 20

John Ward — Pale Vessel

c. 1990

32 x 24 x 20

 

 

John Ward--Bowl, c. 1980--Stoneware, 36.5 x 25.5 c

John Ward–Bowl, c. 1980

Stoneware, 36.5 x 25.5 cm

 

John Ward--Pale Vessel with Squared Rim, c. 2000

John Ward–Pale Vessel with Squared Rim, c. 2000

 

 

John Ward-Blue Vessel, c. 1985--Stoneware 23cm

John Ward — Blue Vessel, c. 1985–Stoneware

23cm Height

 

 

John Ward--Blue Vessel, c. 1985--Stoneware 23cm

John Ward–Blue Vessel

c. 1985–Stoneware 23cm height

 

 

 

 

John Ward exhibition - Erskine, Hall and Coe, London

John Ward exhibition – Erskine, Hall and Coe

2019

John Ward — Black and White Vessel

c.-1995

 

John Ward--Small Shouldered Pot, c. 1990

John Ward–Small Shouldered Pot, c. 1990

 

 

John Ward Black and White Vessel, c. 1995 Stoooneware 23cm

John Ward Black and White Vessel

c. 1995 Stoneware 23cm height

 

 

John Ward-stoneware cup

John Ward – stoneware cup

 

John Ward-Green Banded Vessel, early 1980s 12,7cm-

John Ward – Green Banded Vessel

early 1980s 12.7cm Height

 

 

John Ward-Small Speckled Pot, c. 1985

John Ward — Small Speckled Pot

c. 1985

 

 

John Ward ---Pot with Cut Rim, c. 1995--21,3cm

John Ward —Pot with Cut Rim and green stripes

c. 1995–21,3 cm

 

 

John Ward-Vessel with White and Mottled Green Banding, early 1980s

John Ward — Ceramic vessel with White and Mottled Green Banding

early 1980’s

 

 

 

John Ward Blue and Red Tailed Bowl, c. 1995

John Ward Blue and Red Tailed Bowl

Stoneware c. 1995

 

 

Green and Brown Pot with Squared Rim, c. 1990--Stoneware, 22 cm high

Green and Brown Pot with Squared Rim — John Ward

 c. 1990–Stoneware, 22 cm high

 

 

Green and Brown Oval Vessel, c. 1985--Stoneware, 22.5 cm high

Green and Brown Oval Vessel, c. 1985–Stoneware, 22.5 cm

 

 

Bowl & Shouldered Vessel, c. 1980--Stoneware, 36.5 cm high & 23 cm high

Bowl & Shouldered Vessel

c. 1980–Stoneware, 36.5 cm high & 23 cm high

 

 

Blue Vessel, c. 1985 Stoneware 22cm height

Blue Vessel by John Ward

c. 1985 Stoneware 22cm

 

 

 

 

John-Ward---Green Striped Vessel, c. 1995--47cm

John Ward—Green Striped Vessel

c. 1995–47cm

 

 

 

 

 

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