Life Forms: Ceramics and the Natural World
26 April - 30 August 2008

Life Forms brings together work by a wide range of makers who have been influenced by the natural world.

The influence of nature is evident in the shapes, textures and decorations of the pots on the show and in the techniques and processes used. The exhibition explores many different elements of the natural world, from sea creatures and plants to geology and landscape.

Life Forms includes pots made by the pioneers of British studio pottery, such as the Martin brothers and Katharine Pleydell-Bouverie. It goes on to trace the place of nature in the work of subsequent generations of potters, including James Tower, Mary Rogers and Ewen Henderson.

The exhibition features work by contemporary potters such as Kate Malone and Walter Keeler, whose pots are alive with colour and energy, as well as work by Felicity Aylieff, whose Out of China exhibition is on show at Gallery Oldham until 19 April.

Life Forms brings together works from Gallery Oldham's collection and loans from a number of regional collections.

This is an enagaging exhibition that includes pieces you can handle to explore the ideas and techniques behind the works on show.

Associated ceramics and jewellery will be for sale in the Gallery shop.

Image: Baby Lady Garlic Bud Pot by Kate Malone.

Exhibition Launch Event: Saturday 17 May from 1pm. Curator Dinah Winch leads a tour of Life Forms, which includes objects to handle, at 3pm.

Lunchtime talk: Wednesday 14 May, 1pm, free.