Curators at Aberdeen Art Gallery have taken the bold move of displaying over 180 ceramic items by artist-potters on open shelving and inviting visitors to pick them up to take a closer look in a new display called All Fired Up.
The ceramics are part of the Sandy Dunbar studio pottery collection of 480 items. The collection has been gifted to Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums by the family of the late Alexander Arbuthnott Dunbar (1929-2012), known as Sandy. From London lawyer, to Director of the Scottish Arts Council, then Moray farmer, Sandy Dunbar led a fascinating life and had a lifelong passion for pots. Studio ceramics are either one-off items or made in small runs. Sandy relied on his emotions, feelings and gut instincts to select pots for his collection. He called them ‘pots that sing’ – designs that were pleasing to his eye, felt good in his hands and brought him joy. The gift was made on the understanding that each piece could be handled by visitors to the Gallery.
The display is a new addition to the bp Galleries on the top floor of the Art Gallery. It has been curated for audiences of different ages and levels of interest to explore the art and science of ceramics.
One section is displayed at low level and is targeted at family visitors, who are invited to explore the shapes, textures, patterns and finishes of the pots, and find out about the techniques the potters used to make them. The majority of the collection is displayed on open shelving which evokes a potter’s studio. The shelves are packed with pots of all shapes, sizes and finishes, from rustic earthenware and stoneware to delicate porcelain. Some are decorative, some are functional, from jugs and plates to jars and cheese dishes. In the Seminar Room visitors can find more ceramics and discover more about the potters and their techniques in a selection of reference books. This includes uncovering the science behind the materials and methods used – pottery might be thought of as art or craft, but making pots depends on science and experimentation.
Sandy’s hobby of collecting pots led him to visit and form friendships with artist-potters across the UK. He filled his house in Elgin with an eclectic collection of studio ceramics made by more than 80 artist-potters including Clive Bowen, Michael Cardew, Jane Hamlyn, Lisa Hammond and Chris Keenan.
Although Sandy kept detailed notes about his pots, there was some detective work needed to identify the makers of about 30 of the 480 pots. Curator Morna Annandale worked with Christine Rew, former Art Gallery & Museums Manager, to whittle this number down using a variety of sources, including a Facebook group called British Studio Pottery Mystery Pots. There are now only 6 items awaiting identification.
Rebecca Russell, Sandy’s Dunbar’s daughter, said: “My father’s collection evokes stories of masters and apprentices, subtle pots and those that demand attention, all made by a diverse range of potters. My brother Crinan and I are so delighted to see the collection displayed in such an accessible way. Our father would be thrilled.”
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesman, said: “Sandy Dunbar’s remarkable collection of hand-crafted ceramics was built in much the same way as the founders of the Art Gallery built theirs – through a passion for collecting artworks that they admired rather than what was fashionable and by developing friendships with artists. This is a wonderful collection which is a must-see for anyone interested in the tradition of British studio ceramics and discovering more about the art and science of ceramics.”
Kathryn McKee, head of communications & campaigns, UK, of bp said, “We are pleased that our donation towards the award-winning redevelopment of the Aberdeen Art Gallery continues to allow the team to enhance the art and experiences that are on offer to the public in the bp galleries. We hope visitors will enjoy this amazing collection generously donated by the Dunbar family.”