Trimmings | Phil Rogers | Tribute 2024

phil rogers exhibition tribute 2024 Trimmings | Phil Rogers | Tribute 2024 Phil Rogers

Join us at the gallery as Mike Goldmark reminisces about his relationship with Phil Rogers and his continuing influence.

Phil Rogers was, without doubt, one of the giants of British ceramics. When he died in December 2020 he bequeathed a wealth of memories, work in the collections of over 50 museums around the globe and the legacy of having mentored some of the outstanding new potters in the world – perhaps most notably the great young Danish Potter Anne Mette Hjørtshoj.

Exhibition | Phil Rogers | Unseen Works

wlc phil rogers walkthrough Exhibition | Phil Rogers | Unseen Works Phil Rogers

Phil Rogers was, without doubt, one of the giants of British ceramics. When he died in December 2020 he bequeathed a wealth of memories, work in the collections of over 50 museums around the globe and the legacy of having mentored some of the outstanding new potters in the world – perhaps most notably the great young Danish Potter Anne Mette Hjørtshoj.

He also left behind, in his studio, a treasure trove of his creations which have never been seen in public. We’re delighted to present a walkthrough of the exhibition of this ‘new’ work that opened in July 2024 and consisted of 200 previously unseen Rogers’ pots alongside works that gallery founder Mike Goldmark and the gallery have themselves collected since Phil Rogers became the first potter to show at Goldmark over 25 years ago.

Ashes to Ashes: How the lowliest of materials became the height of taste

ashes to ashes slate jpg Ashes to Ashes: How the lowliest of materials became the height of taste Phil Rogers

For the ancient Chinese, the discovery that wood ash could be made into glazes brought them the exquisite colours of imperial bronze and majesterial jade in a plastic medium. For Bernard Leach and his disciples (chief among them Katharine Pleydell-Bouverie) these pots were a revelation. With their own trials in ash they looked to a … Read more

Phil Rogers & Richard Coles in Conversation

phil rogers and richard coles in conversation wlc jpg webp Phil Rogers & Richard Coles in Conversation Phil Rogers

Phil Rogers’ fifth Goldmark exhibition opened at the height of Covid lockdown. With no possibility of inviting people to the show, we instead brought the show to them with an online tour and talk with longtime friend and collector, the Reverend Richard Coles. Just weeks ahead of the republication of Phil’s renowned Ash Glazes book, … Read more

In Conversation | Phil Rogers with Rev’d Richard Coles

WLC featured image 3 phil rogers in conversation jpg webp In Conversation | Phil Rogers with Rev'd Richard Coles Phil Rogers

Rev’d Richard Coles in conversation with potter Phil Rogers, over Zoom, back in May 2020.  The Rev’d Richard Coles has been a collector of studio pottery for many years, particularly of Phil Rogers’ work. They discuss Phil’s life in pottery and the sources of his inspiration, including Korean and Japanese pots, the work of Shoji … Read more

Fire, Wood and Clay: What’s in an Aesthetic?

WLC featured image fire wood clay jpg webp Fire, Wood and Clay: What's in an Aesthetic? Phil Rogers

There can be no denying it: there’s something about wood-firing that produces special pots. But what is it about the wood-fired aesthetic (if there even is one) that captivates? Where does our appreciation for it begin? And, perhaps most important of all: is it still relevant today? Is the wood-fired aesthetic right for our age? … Read more

The Remarkable Collection of Bill Ismay

ismay slate jpg webp The Remarkable Collection of Bill Ismay Phil Rogers

Last Autumn, the York Museum opened the Yorkshire Tea Ceremony exhibition, showcasing the collection of the late Bill Ismay. An avid studio pottery enthusiast, Ismay built a staggering collection of over three thousand pieces over the course of three decades, all carefully curated in his small terraced house. Due to limited access protocols, I was … Read more

Trimmings | Phil Rogers | A Tribute

Phil Rogers

Phil Rogers, who died late last year after a short illness, was one of Britain’s leading potters and advocates for his craft. His work is internationally respected and examples are held in the collections of more than 50 museums worldwide, including the V&A, the British Museum, the National Museum of Wales, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art in Mino, Japan.

Documentary | Ken Matsuzaki | Elemental

documentary ken matsuzaki elemen jpg webp Documentary | Ken Matsuzaki | Elemental Phil Rogers

Ken Matsuzaki is a Japanese potter working from Mashiko who enjoys an international reputation. He was apprenticed to the late Tatsuzo Shimaoka (National Living Treasure) who in turn had been apprenticed to Shoji Hamada. Matsuzki’s work can be seen in some of the world’s most prestigious private collections.

This 45 minute film shows him throwing in his workshop and features unique footage of him firing his Anagama kiln, with the help of British potter Phil Rogers who commentates on the process. The film ends with Matsuzaki’s 2007 major exhibition of pots at the Goldmark Gallery in Uppingham, Rutland.

Trimmings | A Brief History: ‘Tomobako’ Japanese Boxes

tomobako slate jpg webp Trimmings | A Brief History: 'Tomobako' Japanese Boxes Phil Rogers

In Japan ceramic pots are stored in signed wooden boxes, known as ‘Tomobako’, both for their protection and to display the provenance of the maker.

Presented by British potter Phil Rogers and writer/art critic David Whiting, this video contains archive footage of Japanese potter Ken Matsuzaki signing boxes at his pottery in Japan as well as a demonstration of him tying ribbons around finished boxes during his Goldmark exhibition.

Exhibition | Phil Rogers | Earthly Matters

phil rogers ex jpg webp Exhibition | Phil Rogers | Earthly Matters Phil Rogers

Phil Rogers, one of the outstanding British potters of his generation, exhibited at Goldmark Gallery from 16 May 2020. This was the 5th major exhibition of his work at Goldmark and each show has built on the success of the one before. Goldmark was closed because of the Coronavirus however the exhibition was available virtually to the public with an online tour and new films featuring both an interview with Rogers and footage of him at work. The exhibition saw the publication of a new catalogue written by the Rev. Richard Coles, Vicar of Finedon, former member of 1980s pop group The Communards and presenter of Radio 4 programme Saturday Live. The film shows the culmination of an extraordinary career in ceramics by a potter who forged his own path pushing the boundaries of the traditions he was rooted in.

Documentary | Phil Rogers | Drawing in the Air

479639214 640 jpg webp Documentary | Phil Rogers | Drawing in the Air Phil Rogers

Filmed on location in Wales, this documentary follows Phil Rogers as he prepares for his 2014 ceramics exhibition at Goldmark Gallery – his first major show in 6 years.

The film shows Rogers at work in and around his studio in Rhayader, Mid-Wales. It shows him throwing cups, bowls and jugs, glazing and decorating and opening his oil and wood-fired kilns.

Rogers discusses his life as a studio potter and the challenges involved. The film also shows a range of his current work.