Blandscliff Gallery reopening special for potter John
Last year Blandscliff Gallery, for the first time in 19 years, did not have an opening. This year, 2021, the Scarborough gallery celebrated its 20 years in line with government guidelines on coronavirus safety.
It held a a socially distanced opening with a group of six people.
As always Heather Stoney, who lives in the Old Town with her husband and playwright Alan Ayckbourn did the honours for a special display of pottery by John Egerton in celebration of his 80th year.
In the late 1960s John had his first workshop in a stone outbuilding behind Sneaton Hall his parents’ house near Whitby, where he continued creating until the mid 80s when he moved to his current premises further down the street.
His parents bought him a kiln and a wheel, set it up in the pig sty and told him to get on with it.
Progress was slow, money short and there were far fewer galleries prepared to “take a chance” on a young unknown potter.
But his work has developed over 57 years to the point where it is very recognisably his own personal style.
John studied design at Scarborough College of Art then trained as a teacher in London at Hornsey College of Art.
This solid art background is evident in his exceptional ability to draw/sketch anything accurately on the round thrown surface.
These design skills are now incorporated into the glazing process, and are particularly evident in his land and seascape plates.
John’s studio is next to his pretty cottage, with views across fields towards the coast, in Sneaton, near Whitby.
It is stunning – dusty, messy and bursting with the potter’s paraphernalia.
It is where John has developed his own, recognisable style.
His ceramic patterns are inspired by coast, country, wildlife, rock formations, plant life, landscapes and seascapes.
Following bisque firing, one or more glazes are applied and John’s design is etched on to the pot surface.
The decoration varies from floral motifs and fossils to simple linear designs.
Extra glaze can then be painted or poured on to the pot which is fired for a second time.
Owner of Blandscliff gallery Shirley Sheppard first met John in 2002, when she was looking for artists to put work in the fledgling gallery.
It is now 19 years later and John has always exhibited at the gallery.
“The first works John supplied were mugs, bowls,vases – all wonderfully executed, but when we had the Drawing Shakespeare exhibition in 2004 it was WOW!” said Shirley.
“Since then his remarkable drawn on works, often with a great sense of humour, have graced the gallery.
“At 80, to still create such works, with swollen and painful wrists and hands is a tribute to the artistic drive of a gentle man of the creative industries.”
Blandscliff Gallery is open each week from Wednesday to Sunday. Entry is free.
All the art work is available to buy.