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Pottery that may be just your cup of tea
TEAPOT they may be, but these pieces of china are unlikely to come anywhere near a humble teabag.
For the days when teapots were simply short and stout with a handle and a spout are gone.
Times have changes so much that in the 21st Century most people brew up in a cup, and teapots are usually considered collectors' pieces.
Some of the world's most renowned potters are not too proud to make their own distinctive versions of the traditional design which change hands for hundreds of pounds.
Walter Keeler, a former professor in ceramics at the University of the West of England who now lives in Monmouthshire, was voted the potters 's No 1 potter but still turns humble teapots into sought-after works of art.Now a Chepstow gallery is featuring the work of five artists who specialise in unusual designs.
Time for Tea ranges from the beautifully decorated work of Mark Dally to
the Teapots with Attitude produced by Julia Land, who manages to inject human characteristics into the traditional handle and spout.
Ceramics artist Ned Heywood owns the Workshop Gallery near the riverside and sells teapots abroad.
Coffee-guzzling Americans love them and use the internet to snap up unusual pieces by British artists.
"The thing about pottery is that you buy a work of art in ceramic from a famous potter for about 50, " said Mr Heywood. "You could not do that with a painting. Walter Keeler is probably the most famous living potter there is and he makes teapots .
"The majority of teapots can be used but people tend not to because they are so easily broken."
But Mr Heywood insists modern teapots are nothing like granny used to brew up in or put on her Welsh dresser. "These are not twee, they are cutting edge, contemporary works of art, " he said.
Time for Tea also features unusual clocks will run until January 28.
For the days when teapots were simply short and stout with a handle and a spout are gone.
Times have changes so much that in the 21st Century most people brew up in a cup, and teapots are usually considered collectors' pieces.
Some of the world's most renowned potters are not too proud to make their own distinctive versions of the traditional design which change hands for hundreds of pounds.
Walter Keeler, a former professor in ceramics at the University of the West of England who now lives in Monmouthshire, was voted the potters 's No 1 potter but still turns humble teapots into sought-after works of art.Now a Chepstow gallery is featuring the work of five artists who specialise in unusual designs.
Time for Tea ranges from the beautifully decorated work of Mark Dally to
Ceramics artist Ned Heywood owns the Workshop Gallery near the riverside and sells teapots abroad.
Coffee-guzzling Americans love them and use the internet to snap up unusual pieces by British artists.
"The thing about pottery is that you buy a work of art in ceramic from a famous potter for about 50, " said Mr Heywood. "You could not do that with a painting. Walter Keeler is probably the most famous living potter there is and he makes teapots .
"The majority of teapots can be used but people tend not to because they are so easily broken."
But Mr Heywood insists modern teapots are nothing like granny used to brew up in or put on her Welsh dresser. "These are not twee, they are cutting edge, contemporary works of art, " he said.
Time for Tea also features unusual clocks will run until January 28.
Tags & Keywords : chinese clay master-crafted pots yis-hing china pottery zi sha