Artist's Statement

My work is about simple forms imbued with a sense of spontaneity. 'Raku' as a technique allows me the opportunity to embrace that element of suprise, seeing and knowing then becomes as important as the making.

"Raku"

Raku is one of the six ancient kilns of Japan - it was selected by the tea masters for the tea ceremony and as such forms an integral part of their cultural aesthetic and concept of beauty.

English translation: "comfortable or enjoyment".

Today 'Raku' is synonymous with a fast firing technique where the pots are taken from the fire red hot and placed in some sort of combustible material evoking all the spontaneity of the fire.

With 'Raku' there is a necessity to embrace the element of surprise. And then seeing and knowing become as important as the making

Current Information

'Raku' porcelain. Thrown exhibition forms.

Technical Information

Electric & gas biscuit kilns, fast fired gas 'Raku' fibre kilns. 1020deg.C. copper lustre, crazing glazes and smoked effects.

History

Bruce Chivers was born in Australia and has been resident in England since the mid-1980's. He runs a successful pottery at Dunsford in Devon. After teaching for several years specialising in art/ceramics he established his own pottery and was lucky enough to work and study with Takoa Sakai, a visiting Japanese potter.

After solo and joint exhibitions in Australia he travelled to Europe and took a residency in Devon. He is now an exhibiting member of the Devon Guild of Craftsmen and a full member of the Craft Potters Association (CPA) of Great Britain. His work is represented in major Crafts Council listed galleries in the USA, Europe, Australia, London and throughout the UK.

Bruce produces two distinct styles of work, a range of highfired porcelain utilising carefully-controlled crazing glazes, and Raku incorporating the spontaneity of the fire.

Bruce's work on Raku has been accredited in the ceramics book - Raku: A Contemporary View of Work and '5 Devon potters', profiles of Svend Bayer, Bruce Chivers, Clive Bowen, Nic Collins and Tim Andrews.

He is open to discuss commissions and also runs pottery training courses.

Training and Experience:
1973-1977 - Salisbury Teachers College, Adelaide University
1985 - Ceramics Residency, England
1986 - Return to Australia, Joint solo exhibitions
1986 - Return to UK - Studio set up.

Memberships:
Full Member, Devon Guild of Craftsmen.
Professional Member, Craft Potters Association.

Awards:
Arts Council Award 2008

Other Activities:
Visiting lecturer, Plymouth College of Art & Design.
Moderator, National Open College, S.W. England
Involved in many community School Residency Programmes.
Ceramics lecturer, South Devon College, Foundation and Degree courses.

Selected Exhibitions

Devon Guild of Craftsmen, Bovey Tracey, Devon.
Harlequin Gallery, Greenwich, London.
Ruthin Gallery .
Centre of Contemporary Applied Arts, Sunderland.
Contemporary Studio Pottery, Chagford.
Candover Gallery, Alresford.
Black Swan Gallery, Frome.
Walford Mill, Dorset.
Craft in the Bay, Cardiff.
Dartington Cider Press, Dartington .
Bettles Gailery, Ringwood.
City Art Gallery, Leeds.
Exeter & Devon Arts Centre Exeter.
On line Gallery, Southampton.
Broughton Gallery, Broughton.
Oriel Myrddin-Carmarthen.
Bircham Gallery-Holt.
Rufford Craft Centre-Rufford.
Hitchcocks-Alresford.
Rye Art Gallery-Rye.
Southhampton Art Gallery-Southhampton.
Church House Designs-Congressbury.
New Craftsman-St Ives.
Woodbury Gallery-Woodbury near Exeter.
Cecilia Coleman-London.
Pam Schomberg-Colchester.
Fenny Lodge Gallery-Milton Keynes.
Ombersley Gallery-Worcestershire.
Royal Albert Museum-Exeter.
Appledore Festival-5 Devon Potters.
The Old Bakehouse Gallery-Chichester.
Burton Art Gallery-Bideford.
Bristol Guild of Apllied Arts-Bristol.
The Atelier Gallery-Exeter University.
V&A Museum-London.

Selected International:

Amsterdam University-Netherlands.
Red Pony Gallery-New England U.S.A.
The Beaver Gallery-Canberra Australia.
The British Counsel-Dubai.

Forthcoming exhibitions:

CPA - London.Fukuoka City Gallery - Japan.