Jack Doherty - Waypoint

WAYPOINT

A multi-site exhibition of contemporary vessels by Jack Doherty
New Craftsman Gallery, St Ives, Cornwall
5th September - 9th October 2015
St Ives September festival 12 – 27 September 2015

The navigational reference Waypoint is the title for an exhibition of soda-fired porcelain vessel forms by Jack Doherty. The core of the exhibition will be hosted by the New Craftsman Gallery with an element of the work presented in key non-art sites around the town during the St Ives Festival 12 – 27 September. Waypoint focuses on the historic fishermen’s chapels and traditional places of refuge; St Leonards Chapel, located on the harbour, St Nicholas Chapel, the island and the Fisherman’s Rose Lodge on the wharf.

By placing the vessel forms within a specific site the intention is to create a thoughtful space in which to view the work with sensitivity to the context of place. The aim is to highlight the cultural heritage of the fishing community connecting visitors and local audiences with these historic landmarks and narratives of faith, courage and epic voyages.

Working in soda-fired porcelain Jack Doherty makes vessels based on archetypal forms. The concept for this series of work draws on his personal experiences “I was born into a family of fishermen. As a child the harbour was the most fascinating place in my universe; a space charged with emotional content that shaped my world.” Doherty’s vessel forms reflect the idea of the harbour not only as a place of shelter and sanctuary but also as a place of fragility, transition and danger.

A series of talk and events will accompany the exhibition.

The exhibition is curated by Sarah Frangleton and is supported by New Craftsman Gallery | St Ives Town Council | Tony Farrell and the members of the Rose Lodge fishermen’s shelter.