Retelling Her-story: a new ceramics exhibition at the Burton

Retelling Her-story: a new ceramics exhibition at the Burton explores the role of women in contemporary society and the history of art

A fascinating and thought-provoking exhibition of work by Jam Westwood, a ceramicist and conceptual artist from the North East of England, opens at the Burton on Saturday 17 June.

Jam Westwood was recently interviewed by Grayson Perry on Channel 4 as part of the third season of Grayson's Art Club.

Don’t Look At My Jugs… And Other Stories is an exhibition of re-imagined historical artefacts that explores the reality of the everyday experience of women in society today. It’s an exhibition that throws light onto the physical, social, professional and domestic injustices encountered on a daily basis. It also asks us to question whether society is as progressive as we might think.

Dealing with often heavy and challenging subject matters, Jam Westwood’s work is actually full of lightness, humour and playfulness to delight audiences. There’s an ultimate message of hope too.

Featuring a collection of carefully crafted vessels, vases, bowls and coins, these are pieces that wouldn’t initially look out of place in a traditional museum cabinet. Yet a closer inspection tells a very different story.

We see works that celebrate the menstrual cycle and the various different experiences of the menopause. There are also works that reclaim the derogatory terms that have been used to insult women throughout history alongside works that challenge gender stereotypes and toxic masculinity.

Many of the finished works have been deliberately broken or chipped. This gives them the gravitas of age while also alluding to the repeated injury and damage done to women throughout history. It also speaks of the artist’s desire to break taboos and disrupt the dominant narrative in which the female voice can be hard to hear.

Don’t Look At My Jugs… And Other Stories is an arresting exhibition that asks us to look at how we live. What is the history we are writing? What is the history we want to be a part of?

Don’t Look At My Jugs… And Other Stories opens on 17 June and runs until 19 September.

There is opportunity to meet the artist in person at the gallery on Saturday 17 June, 2pm.

The gallery, museum and shop are open daily. Admission is free.

 

Tell Me Again© Jam Westwood

Menses (The Period God) © Jam Westwood

 

Queen Jane of Faceburgh © Jam Westwood

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ABOUT THE BURTON AT BIDEFORD
The Burton at Bideford, art gallery and museum is one of the leading cultural venues within the South West. It is a dynamic and vibrant space, showing local, national and international artists. With 2 exhibition spaces, a retail area, an education space and a café in addition to the heritage displays and craft gallery, the Burton attracts a wide range of audiences of all ages from the local and international communities and provides the opportunity to access and engage with artists, collections and exhibitions on all levels.

Current exhibitions include 40 Years of War Horse (22 May – 3 July) and The Permanent Collection Curated by Community Groups (22 May – 4 July). Upcoming exhibitions include Revealing the Human Form: Sculpture from Leading British Artists of the Last Century.

The Burton also houses a permanent collection of works including Hubert Coop RBA, Sir John Lavery, E. Aubrey Hunt and Sir George Clausen RA, as well as information and artefacts illustrating Bideford’s famous personalities and past industries including a Slipware Collection and The Ackland and Edwards Collection. Please see www.theburton.org for more information.