Mug Sculpture
Gillian Lowndes, 2000
Gillian Lowndes’ reputation as one of the most radical potters of the 20th century rests on her remarkable bricolage sculptures.
Like Mug Sculpture, these often comprise found and broken ceramic objects that are fired together with other materials and everyday domestic items. The eminent British potter Emmanuel Cooper (1938-2012) once described these one-off pieces as ‘a commentary on the nature of clay and on the detritus of the modern times’.
Lowndes studied at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, in London, and later taught ceramics at Camberwell and Central Saint Martins art schools. She married the prominent potter Ian Auld and together they travelled extensively in Nigeria, an experience that inspired much of their work. From 1989 to 2000 they lived in Toppesfield, Essex. Lowndes made Mug Sculpture while living in Toppesfield.
The piece now joins the holdings at the Fry Art Gallery, in Saffron Walden, which houses the North West Essex Collection of work made by artists in the local area.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Mug Sculpture, 2000
Date supported
2021
Medium and material
Bone china with metal staples and Egyptian paste
Dimensions
26 x 9 cm
Grant
2000
Total cost
5600
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