Art / News
New exhibition celebrates acclaimed ceramist
An early 20th century ceramicist is the focus of a new exhibition.
Sam Haile (1909-1948) originally studied painting at the Royal College of Art in London before finding his passion in poetry.
From January 18 to March 5, The Stradling Collection on Park Row are hosting the biggest display of Haile’s work that has ever been exhibited.
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Haile created this jug in 1947, while he was living in Devon
The museum say: “Haile’s ceramics stand as poignant commentaries on the political and social turmoil of his era, particularly the rise of Fascism in Europe and the growing existential anxieties in the lead-up to World War II.
“By transforming simple earthenware pots into canvases for bold, surreal paintings, Haile reflected the chaos and uncertainty of a world on the brink of war.
“His vessels, adorned with unsettling imagery and distorted figures, invite viewers to confront the darker currents of society and the human condition.
“Haile’s work remains an urgent reminder of art’s ability to express and challenge the political realities of its time.”
Haile created this plate in 1947, inspired by a Neolithic burial chamber in Devon
Sam Haile was born in 1909 and became associated with the British Surrealist Group before moving to the US, in 1939, where he became influential within the American craft pottery movement.
Although he was drafted into the US Army in the 1940s, towards the end of the Second World War he returned to England. He moved to Devon where he later died in a car accident in 1948.
The Haile exhibition is the first of a three-part ‘evolving’ exhibition that will see Haile’s work put in conversation with that of contemporary ceramicist, Emilie Taylor, who was born 32 years after Haile died.
Taylor is an alumna of the Young Masters Art prize for emerging artists.
Much of Haile’s work looked violence and sexuality – this work from 1946 is a ‘Loving Cup’, one of several Haile made in the 1940s
The evolving exhibition is called Conscious Clay and will start with the Haile exhibition before moving onto Conscious Clay II, from March 15 to May 1, which will spotlight Taylor’s artistic response to Haile’s work.
The final showing will be Conscious Clay III, which will be a selling exhibition of Taylor’s work.
Throughout this six month ‘evolving’ exhibition people from the local community will be invited to come to Park Row and create their own responses to the Conscious Clay project.
All photos: The Stradling Collection
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