Exhibition | Ruth Duckworth at Erskine Hall & Coe, London

Ruth Duckworth’s newest exhibition at Erskine, Hall and Coe (Sept. 10 — Oct. 2, 2015, London) features twenty ceramic works accompanied by a catalog with an introduction by Thea Burger, who worked with Duckworth for a quarter-century.

Above image: Ruth Duckworth, Untitled, 2004, porcelain, 24.1 x 16.5 x 8.3 cm

Ruth Duckworth, Untitled, 2009, porcelain, 12.7 x 15.2 x 10.2 cm

Burger’s insight into Duckworth’s inspirations and process is unparalleled. She states:

“Ruth seldom drew her pieces prior to creating something. She would come into her studio in the morning and begin what she called, “playing”.  She would just begin making a form, experimenting with it continually until, as she used to say, “it would make me smile”.  Then she knew she was on to something and she would complete the piece.

“The variety of art works she created sometimes bewildered many of the collectors and curators who followed her work. They were mystified by the range of the creations that came from her studio.  She loved developing new shapes and forms, and it was truly amazing the variety of work that she was able to produce.

“This exhibition gives some sense of the variety.  Chosen from her personal collection, most of the pieces were favourites of Ruth’s.  Some have been exhibited in museums, but they were always returned to her home for her to enjoy.  She loved the beauty of them and they made her life complete.”

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Ruth Duckworth, Untitled, 2009, porcelain, 12.7 x 15.2 x 10.2 cm. Click to see a larger image.

Ruth Duckworth, Untitled, 2001, porcelain, 16.5 x 22 x 11.4 cm

Ruth Duckworth, Untitled, 2006, porcelain, 38.1 x 10 x 12.1 cm. Click to see a larger image. Photographs courtesy of the gallery.