In Clay: The Exhibition brings together works by twenty contemporary women artists – including ceramicist and Cockpit maker Tessa Eastman – at the theatre Upstairs at The Gatehouse. Curated by Rose Gleadell, it complements the run of the musical In Clay, after its sell-out success at the Vault Festival last year.
Based on the life and writings of French painter, potter and goldsmith, Marie-Berthe Cazin (1872-1971), the musical highlights the joys and sorrows of one woman’s life devoted to making art. Gleadell hopes that the audience and visitors will consider works in the exhibition as if individual characters from a play.
The story goes that many of Marie-Berthe’s works were passed off as being by her husband, Michel Cazin, whose artist father, Jean-Charles Cazin was her mentor for many years. An exhibition of works celebrating 21st century women artists practising and owning their art so energetically and individually is the perfect accompaniment to Rebecca Simmonds book. The lyrics have been written by Simmonds and Jack Miles, who has also composed the music.
