This 25th Anniversary exhibition is to celebrate Joanna Bird’s life as a Gallery owner exploring decorative objects and fine art over the last 30 years. The show seeks to capture an enlightened world where beautiful objects appeal and amuse – some charmingly suggest whilst others demand attention – to be handled, utilised, arranged, hung high, touched and dwelt upon.
An opportunity to absorb deeply considered objects made with integrity is a life enriching experience. These objects are at the heart of the matter, enduring beauty is never to be underestimated for the pleasure it can bestow.
Each of us has a favourite cup, plate, teapot or bowl to which our eye and hand involuntarily reach out. Just imagine if all the objects and utensils were our favourites (assuming that we had managed to jettison any with loosely sentimental value or not quite what we would have chosen ourselves) suddenly our specific living area becomes a curated space punctuated with our chosen pieces; we would be delighting in them daily and spoilt for choice.
Many years of discerning selection of objects and art has gone into the pieces chosen for this exhibition. The artists all excel in their fields. We do hope you will come and view the marvellous work on display in Art, Form and Function and consider objects which are visually compelling, made by hand and heart felt.
For the first time Joanna Bird is delighted to be showing the striking pointillist paintings by distinguished artist William Wilkins, CBE.
Come and see the elegance of Matthew Warner’s cups refreshingly researched after Josiah Wedgewood’s production in the 18th Century. Delight in the wit of Charlotte Hodes’ printed collages of fashion, decorating a coffee service and other fine platters. Feel the rough texture of LOEWE finalist Akiko Hirai’s unglazed cups and sake bottles. Witness the playfulness of Carlo Moretti’s cocktail glasses (limited editions). Relish the anticipation of a déjeuner sur l’herbe with Chiarastella Cattana’s hand woven linen napkins whilst relaxing on her jacquard blanket woven in the Dolomites. Be charmed by Marie-Rose Kahane’s delicate glass garniture composed of subtly evolving shapes; vases which will lend elegance to any table centre. Enjoy the conceptual glass by Geoffrey Mann and distinctive silver jug forms by Adi Toch. Imagine arriving at the Opera in one of Amy West’s exclusive glass necklaces created by transforming rare coloured glass into jewellery, exclusive to Murano.
To complement these artists Joanna will be showing ceramic work by Richard Batterham, Svend Bayer, Carina Ciscato, Rupert Spira, Michael Cardew, Joanna Constantinidis, Ruth Duckworth, Hyejeong Kim, Hyejeong Kim and Edward Hughes. Presenting a rich gallery of Masters and Students, Designers and Craftsmen this exhibition will excite your imagination, it is not to be missed.
Photo credits: Joanna Bird Gallery
Mari Balsamà Wilson 
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