Functional Beauty

This March, Concrete Wardrobe brings you the ceramic tableware of Edinburgh based Chris Donnelly, the first Maker of the Month exhibition for 2012.

Inspired by British and Middle Eastern slipware, East Asian folk pottery, and what has become the studio pottery tradition, Donnelly has created a range of functional ceramics, which aims to elevate the humble meal from mere fuel recharging, to a special ritual shared with friends and loved ones.

Donnelly’s work includes jugs, beakers, cups and saucers, and lidded lantern jars. His designs are a contrast to the sleek machine made designs we live with everyday, and encourage a dialogue between the user and the piece. He believes that ceramics contain a narrative as well as a function, and that they can reflect and project culture in much the same way as fine art can.

Donnelly’s wheel thrown, slip decorative earthenware pieces are fired to a point of greater resilience than is usual for earthenware. The applied transfer images are taken from contemporary textiles and are influenced by eastern designs.  His new range for Concrete Wardrobe is called ‘Starcloud’.

Of his new collection at Concrete Wardrobe, James Donald co-owner of the shop commented, “having a broad range of Donnelly’s work on display enables you to see the tactile beauty of his work in full glory. The combination of traditional dark earthenware and contemporary washed glazes creates pieces you just want to pick up and use.”

Donnelly’s work will be on display from 1^st to 31^st March 2012. Concrete Wardrobe is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm.

Concrete Wardrobe 50a Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3SA