Works that inspired art idol’s feat of clay on show at gallery

THE influences and styles that have inspired the nation’s most distinguished living sculptural ceramicist have gone on display in Yorkshire.

Gordon Baldwin’s Excitations exhibition at York Art Gallery includes works by Hans Coper, Lucie Rie and William Staite Murray, who all made a major impression on him when he was a student.

The exhibition began on Saturday and is an introduction to Mr Baldwin’s art and will complement the first major touring show on the artist in February next year.

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The gallery’s assistant curator of decorative arts, Helen Walsh, said: “Gordon Baldwin is regarded as the UK’s most distinguished living sculptural potter, who for the last 50 years has been making the most radical and exciting work in clay. He has been highly influential as both a teacher and an artist and is seen as a key post-war artist who moved ceramics onto a sculptural platform away from its more traditional functional concerns.

“Excitations will offer a unique look into the artists, styles and techniques which have influenced Baldwin and act as a perfect introduction before the show on Baldwin next year.”

Excitations features 35 works by artists chosen by Mr Baldwin who helped inspire his decision to give up painting in favour of working primarily in clay.

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