Press Release

17 | 03 | 22

‘Chapters'

the last ever collection by textile artist Jason Collingwood

with ceramics by Akiko Hirai

27 May to 25 June 2022

Jason Collingwood | Handwoven Black and White Geometric Rug

This collection, titledChapters, will be the very last by internationally respected weaver Jason Collingwood, and marks the end of his 30-year career as a rug maker. Showing alongside him at New Craftsman is his wife and fellow artist Akiko Hirai, whosedecorative Moon Jars and functional tableware fuse Japanese and British ceramic traditions.

Closing this ‘chapter' in Jason's life, this special collection of handwoven rugs demonstrates the artist's talent for creating striking and technically complicated geometric designs. Over the last three decades Jason has rarely exhibited but has woven more than 2000 rugs by commission for private clients, architects and interior designers, including a series of 24 rugs for the Sheraton hotel in Dar-es Salaam, Tanzania, and a collection of rugs for a castle in Switzerland. Each rug is entirely unique, woven by hand on the loom using a block weave structure in a palette of powerful colours, and this New Craftsman exhibition offers collectors the last chance to acquire work by one of the world's finest textile artists.

Japanese born ceramicist Akiko Hirai studied ceramics at the University of Westminster and Central St. Martins, London. To complement Jason's rugs, she has created twelve Moon Jars which change appearance throughout the series in reflection of the lunar cycle, and the circular completion of her husband's successful career as a weaver. She has achieved subtle changes in each work by alternating her kiln atmosphere when firing, and allowing varying amounts of impurity in the clay that affect the surface detail of each work. The exhibition also includes a collection of Akiko's functional tableware, which demonstrates her distinctive use of dark clay enhanced by a veil of white glaze.

Akiko Hirai | Moon Jar

For further information contact New Craftsman Gallery, 24 Fore St, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1HE.01736 795652 | info@newcraftsmanstives.com | www.newcraftsmanstives.com

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Print Ready 300dpi images for press use:

JASON COLLINGWOOD Black & White Geometric Rug
 
 

Editors Notes

New Craftsman St Ives

With an international reputation amongst art and craft collectors for its painting, sculpture and quality studio ceramics, the New Craftsman is regarded as one of the most important spaces for contemporary artists in St Ives. Founded in the mid-1960s by Janet Leach, wife of Bernard Leach, it holds an unrivalled reputation as one of the country's leading art and craft venues. Today the gallery's annual programme of mixed and solo exhibitions continues to support the work of Cornwall's and the UK's very best painters and craftspeople.

New Craftsman Gallery, 24 Fore Street, St. Ives, Cornwall TR26 1HE | Tel: +44 (0)1736 795652 |info@newcraftsmanstives.com|www.newcraftsmanstives.com

For further press information or additional images contact Mercedes Smith at Fine Art Communications director@fineartcommunications.co.uk / Tel 07825 270235 / www.fineartcommunications.co.uk