EPISTROPHE
Epistrophe is derived from a Greek word; nowadays commonly used in grammar as a rhetorical device of repeating a word, but its original meaning was for turning back not just in a physical sense but the turning of the mind to a spirit to what was once- not simply nostalgia but an awareness of the past like looking over your shoulder at the path that shaped you.
From my perspective it was the important and seminal work of Leach and Hamada of positioning modern ceramic art which led to the inspiration and encouragement of artists of the 1950’s 60’s, and 70’s, such as Shoji Hamada, Bernard Leach, Marion De Trey, Lucie Rie, Hans Coper, Michael Cardew, Bryan Newman and of my friend Harry Juniper.
In this body of work I intend to revisit, re-explore, consider and acknowledge the great work in ceramics of potters working in the geographical location of where I was born and brought up in Devon, during the 1950’s ,60’s, and 70’s.