The idea of this exhibition was originally formed when a group of eight curators from Japan was invited to Great Britain by the British Council and taken to St Ives by Dr David Brown (then Assistant Keeper in the Modern Collection at the Tate Gallery), where they were impressed by both the art and the local atmosphere.  Two years later a large-scale exhibition of St Ives 1936-64 - Twenty Five years of Painting, Sculpture and Pottery was held at the Tate Gallery under the direction of Dr Brown and Dr Oliver Watson (Assistant Keeper in the Department of Ceramics at the Victoria and Albert Museum).  This exhibition builds upon the results of that exhibition.

(from the catalogue foreword)

Collection Artist(s)

Glossary

  • Ceramics

    Clay based products produced from non-metallic material and fired at high temperature. The term covers all objects made of fired clay, including earthenware, porcelain, stoneware and terra cotta.

  • Painting

    Work of art made with paint on a surface. Often the surface, also called a support, is a tightly stretched piece of canvas, paper or a wooden panel. Painting involves a wide range of techniques and materials, along with the artist's intellectual concerns effecting the content of a work.

  • Sculpture

    A three-dimensional work of art. Such works may be carved, modelled, constructed, or cast. Sculptures can also be described as assemblage, in the round, relief, and made in a huge variety of media. Contemporary practice also includes live elements, as in Gilbert & George 'Living Sculpture' as well as broadcast work, radio or sound sculpture.