The largest ceramic art fair seen in London is being staged close to west London’s historic home of pottery, with more than 100 exhibitors taking part.
Ceramic Art London’s expanded 20th anniversary show will fill Olympia’s vast West Hall from Friday 19 April to Sunday 21 April.
The fair takes place less than two miles from where John Dwight introduced stoneware to England in the 17th century by setting up the Fulham Pottery… its Grade II-listed bottle kiln a distinctive landmark in New King’s Road, close to Putney Bridge tube station.
The 118 makers who will be taking part in the show are all members of the Craft Potters Association and are selling their work, Prices range from under £100 – to £10,000 for museum-quality pieces.
Exhibitors are coming from as far afield as Greece, Guatemala, Korea and Japan.
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“This will be our largest ever fair, with moving to the West Hall at Olympia allowing us to increase the content and visitor experience,” said the association’s Toby Brundin.
A third of the potters showing their work are new to the fair, which also includes speakers and – for the first time – a hands-on display of ceramic making.
“The ceramic art scene is hugely popular and it gives us a great buzz to be able to bring it to west London,” said Anna Golden of Olympia London.
Fulham potters
Fulham potters who succeeded Dwight’s original business were still firing clay figures, pots, mugs and vases on the site until the 1980s, when artists including Philip Sutton and Quentin Bell used the kilns.
Examples of historic Fulham Pottery pieces are displayed in the Museum of London, including one of Dwight’s earliest works, an experimental flared vase decorated in the style of Chinese Ming-era pottery.
Dwight’s brown stoneware jugs can command prices of £20,000 at auction.
