20 October - 13 November 2011
about the exhibition
Kevin White takes inspiration from the elegance and technical skill of the East Asian tradition in shaping his porcelain vessels and their contemporary oriental embellishment. This new work incorporates, in most cases, large sweeping brushstrokes that pay homage to his experience living, working and researching in China and Japan. Kevin’s distinct signature of interpretation gives new life to the ceramic traditions of Japan and refracting ideas of Japonisme seen in British ceramics of the nineteenth century. Traditional blue and white decoration and floral designs are combined with geometric reserves, planes of colour and decal patterning, creating a formal spatial organisation on the vessels’ surface. There is always a sense of stillness and harmony in his pieces. Kevin’s deep understanding of design also allows him to play with and interpret notions of functionality in his work. A unique sense of control, combined with delicate brushwork and contrasted by bright, vibrant block colours with splashes of gold, enable Kevin to create exquisite porcelain. This is Kevin’s fifth exhibition with Beaver Galleries.
Born in Reading, UK, Kevin studied at the West Surrey College of Art and Design and at Leeds Polytechnic, receiving his BA (Hons) in 1977. In 1978 he received a prestigious scholarship from the Japanese Ministry of Education for post-graduate research in ceramics. In Japan he studied under the late Professor Yutaka Kondo at the Kyoto City University of Fine Art and later worked in the Kyoto studio of the renowned ceramic artist Sato Satoshi. After five years in Japan, he returned to England where he was awarded an MA from the Royal College of Art, London. He migrated to Australia in 1985 and is currently Associate Professor and Deputy Head – International Development, RMIT University, Melbourne. Kevin has exhibited widely in Asia, Europe and Australia and is represented in many collections including the National Gallery of Australia, Powerhouse Museum, National Gallery of Victoria, Royal College of Art (UK), Tachikichi Corporation (Japan) and the Gifu Prefectural Ceramic Museum (Japan).
