RETURN: JOHN CRAWFORD

John Crawford is a nationally recognised ceramicist who works at the coastal locale of Ngakawau, Northern Buller on the West Coast of the South Island. 

Ngakawau means the resting place of the shag and refers to the several sea worn rocks that these beautiful black sea birds return to after a long day fishing at sea. 

Return is an exhibition of recent art work that is evocative of that place.  It also reflects on Crawford’s four decade long career of working with clay.     

Return includes a suite of new ceramic vessels and objects alongside drawings and paintings on paper and slate.  The monumental ceramic vessels are inscribed with stylised patterns based on Crawford’s observational drawings.

Drawing is a daily ritual for this artist “where the truth of an object might be stored and kept safe for development into larger works”.  These drawings are often studies of natural phenomenon including clouds, tide marks in the sand or objects observed during a beach walk.  Examples of these larger works are presented in this exhibition. 

The artist has also created a group of primitive-style ‘curiosities’.  These comment on the universal activity of collecting and making objects ‘special’.

Return is a serious statement of place and style by one of New Zealand’s most significant ceramicists.  It is also the third solo exhibition by this artist at The Suter Art Gallery and we are proud to welcome him back.

Anna-Marie White

Curator