1 - 19 November 2007
about the exhibition
Kevin White continues to interpret the ceramic traditions of Japan and the Japonisme seen in British ceramics of the nineteenth century. Traditional blue and white decoration and floral designs of Arita porcelain, (from 17th century Japan), are combined with geometric reserves, planes of colour and decal patterning, creating a formal spatial organisation of the vessels’ surface. Kevin’s delicate brushwork contrasts with the vibrant areas of strong colour, giving the vessels an asymmetry of balance. 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. This is Kevin’s fourth 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 Program Director at the School of Art, RMIT University. He has exhibited widely in Asia, Europe and Australia and is represented in many collections including the National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Gifu Prefectural Ceramic Museum (Gifu, Japan), Royal College of Art (London), Museum and Art Gallery of Tasmania, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Curtin University (Perth), Powerhouse Museum (Sydney) and the Art Gallery of Western Australia.