Material Pattern: Ant & Di Edmonds of Tydd Pottery with Textiles

Material Pattern presents a new collection of decorative ceramic vessels by Ant & Di Edmonds of Tydd Pottery, with wall-based textile art works by five leading textile artists Jacob Monk, Michelle House, Maxine Sutton, Jo Evans & Rachna Garodia.

In a radical move late 2019, Ant & Di Edmonds decided to leave their production of majolica tableware behind and follow a long-held desire to create large scale Pueblo Indian-inspired vessels with striking black and white graphic designs. 2020 gave them much needed space to develop and refine their practice. The first collection was launched at the gallery in 2021. Their work has since caught the attention of international ceramic collectors and enthusiasts, going from strength to strength.

The vessels begin with the base, using the pueblo technique of building it in a mould. The body of the vessel is then coil built, applying the clay to the vessel with a unique coil dispensing system developed by Ant. A slip is applied and the vessel is burnished with a variety of tools from spoons, lightbulbs, and stones, to then be bisque fired. Di will begin marking the pots with the designs developed by herself and Ant. Accuracy is key, measuring around the widest points of each vessel to accentuate their forms. Di uses a black stain mixed with glaze and a rigger brush with hairs removed, allowing intricacy in the patterns.

In this new collection, Ant & Di expand on their recent developments with their decorative vessels, honing in on their skills on building and design. Ant & Di say 'We continue to explore the interface of form and pattern- new patterns include examples based on the early work of Bridgit Riley and early Cycladic ceramics influence some of our new forms. Patterns can evolve - tweaking various elements to produce 'variations on an original theme' All great fun!' Ant turned 80 in September, but his & Di’s curiosity and development ceases to halt any time soon.

The gallery has curated a collection of works by leading textile artists to accompany the ceramic exhibition. Gallery director Sarah Wiseman says: ‘I have had a lifelong interest in textiles and this exhibition presented an opportunity to focus on a wall-based works and for them to be viewed as art works in their own right. While researching the artists we discovered many cross overs in approach to the work with the ceramics, with selection of materials, form, and pattern. There is a rhythm from the textiles that bounces off the black and white ceramics, creating delicate communications. Presents them in a new way for art collectors to consider adding to their collections by starting a new conversation.’

Each textile artist is highly renowned in their field, Michelle House for her layered silkscreened pieces, Rachna Garodia for her experimental weaving with natural elements, Maxine Sutton for her layered stitched and appliqued wall hangings, Jacob Monk for his fresh approach to Ikat weaving and Jo Evans for her witty stitched and appliqued images.

View exhibition e-catalogue here