collective exchange

We are happy to announce that Collective Exchange will host some more community workshops in Tottenham during the new year. They will follow a ‘day of clay’ at Bruce Castle Museum in conjunction with our exhibition ‘Complied’ to celebrate the heritage of pottery in Tottenham. During this event, local clay artists will be invited to share and exchange their artistic process with the public, more information to follow shortly.

 

‘Compiled’ opened at Bruce Castle Museum during Open House Weekend

During set up, we had the pleasure of meeting Ken Barker and Graham South, whose family owned the South Potteries in White Hart Lane.  They had brought along some pots made during the pottery’s heyday to add to the exhibition, along with the last pot ever thrown (Graham had crept back into the pottery to make it after everyone had left to ensure it was the last one made!)

The space seemed to have been waiting for us…

and there was a good turnout, with some familiar faces who had popped in to see their creations in their new home

Our final workshop at St Pauls & All Hallows School had produced a pot bearing some of the children’s initials, alongside Ledley King’s who made a guest appearance on the day as official interviewer, much to the children’s delight

So come along and see us…the museum is open Wednesday – Sunday from 1 – 5pm and the exhibition runs until the end of January 2017, so there’s plenty of time.

We are also holding an evening talk on Wednesday, 28th September which starts at 7.30pm, doors open at 7pm…more details to follow this week..

 

Proudly sponsored by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club & Middlesex University

    

 

 

 

 

Our exhibition held at 810 High Road has been offered space by The Bruce Castle Museum for three months which we have gladly accepted!

The exhibition will be moving over in the next few weeks and opens on Saturday, 17th September during Open House Weekend, we will all be there on the opening afternoon so do come and see us.

Proudly sponsored by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club & Middlesex University

    

 

The house filled with chatter last week on our opening evening and took on a life all of it’s own, it seemed as though it was meant to have it’s doors flung open and to bare its soul…

The weather held, the courtyard filled up

With the coach house following suit

Cups were specially made for the evening, a lick of Tottenham clay added to seal the occasion.  Filled up with a generous donation from local brewery, Redemption Brewing (there was more than just the one bottle we hasten to add!)

It was a real treat to finally be able to share all of the workshop participants’ wonderful creations with everyone and the responses were fantastic.  Everyone was bowled over by the creativity that had occurred over the three weeks in June and marvelled at the way the house and the work fitted so well together, like hand and glove

There were plenty of thoughts, memories and history of the area shared

Along with three very happy makers!

 

We are hoping that the exhibition will be moving to The Bruce Castle Museum in September for three months, so if you weren’t able to join us at 810 High Road, there will be the opportunity to visit us there…more information on this to follow!

 

Proudly sponsored by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club & Middlesex University

    

All images are copyright of Adaeze Ihebom/Collective Exchange

 

 

The laying of ‘crocs’ (broken pots) under the original stadium as drainage sees the new rising to life and breaking free of their underground constraints…suspended until such time they can be released

Capturing our own memories of time spent in the area, the numerous walks taken along the High Road and the history of a bygone craft

A bowl mapping out the past, present and future of this special part of Tottenham, waiting for its chance to be mended and given a new lease of life

The beautiful work made during the workshops sitting in situ whilst their dedicated makers move gently amongst them

Like a mini terracotta army, advancing out of the shadows and corners  into the light…

Seated on high, guarding their surroundings with purpose,

Perching precariously on the lookout, a tiger leaps below to who knows where

No corner is left unguarded

As walls whisper with traced memories

On the landing, balls of clay wait patiently in the hope of joining their compatriots in the children’s room

Transformed into pinch pots,

teacups and a motley crew of characters,

under the watchful gaze of their creators and next door neighbours.

Tiles created during the library workshop have taken up residence on the stairs, basking in the warmth of the summer sun

Their rich terracotta hues offsetting a mix of colours and designs lovingly and painstakingly created, transforming and bringing this fascinating house to life.

 

Come and visit us and all of the amazing work that has been created over the past few months, as well as having a rare opportunity to peek inside this beautiful Grade II listed Georgian building.

We are open this weekend Saturday and Sunday 12-6pm.

 

Proudly sponsored by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club & Middlesex University

    

All images are copyright of Collective Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

We are currently busily preparing for the exhibition which is being held towards the end of July, the dates are:

Friday, 22nd July     3-7.30pm

Saturday, 23rd July 12-6pm

Sunday, 24th July   12-6pm

Do come and join us to see all of the amazing work created by the residents of Tottenham as well as our own response to the three week period of workshops.  The exhibition will be held at 810 High Road and is open to all.

 

Proudly sponsored by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club & Middlesex University

    

All images are copyright of Collective Exchange

 

 

It was our final day of workshops and we busily prepared ourselves, producing best batch of moulds over the entire three weeks…all good things come to those who wait!

It’s funny how attached you can become to a place once you have integrated yourself there over a period of time…

We had more wonderful local residents come and visit with us today, as well as the ceramics technician at Middlesex University along with his family – it was great for him to see us in action and see that the slip was working better than anticipated!

And, as ever there were some beautiful pieces made, ready for firing and to be included in our exhibition in July.

We were also visited by a collective of artists living locally and who are anticipating putting on their own work at the house later on in the year popped in to look around as well as discovering what we are all about

The weather did reflect all of our moods.  We were all feeling a little overcast and sombre and the light wasn’t as bright as it had been, almost as though it was marking the end of this phase of our project at the house

However…You can’t remain melancholy for too long and there is much planning to do for the upcoming exhibition in July – keep the 22nd – 24th July free in your diaries and come along and join us in celebrating all of the beautiful work that has been created over the past three weeks and will be added to with our own interpretations of stories shared and experiences gained.  It will be well worth the visit!

 

Proudly sponsored by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club & Middlesex University

    

All images are copyright of Collective Exchange