Blackwell The Arts and Crafts House
Blackwell is one of England's most important surviving houses from the turn of the 20th century. Designed by M. H. Baillie Scott between 1898 and 1900, it is a superb example of Arts and Crafts movement architecture.
It occupies a stunning position overlooking Windermere in the English Lake District and is open to the public as a Historic House and a gallery for contemporary craft.
Venue Type:
Historic house or home
Form over Function
- 19 June — 9 September 2018 *on now
This exhibition challenges the notion that ceramics are primarily functional and explores how artists create art out of craft.
Ranging from a playful hippo sculpture to an optical illusion box, works are themed into Animals, Clay as a canvas, Sculpture and Community. Through loans from Centre of Ceramic Art at York Art Gallery, our own and private collections, we explore William Morris’ saying: “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
Form over Function includes sculptural forms, painted surfaces and narrative works by some of the greatest ceramicists. Artists on show include Lucie Rie, Hans Coper, Gordon Baldwin, Ewen Henderson, Rosemary Wren and Alison Britton.
Traditionally clay has been used to make functional things which support us in our daily lives. But over the centuries there’s been an increasing emphasis on decoration, transforming once functional designs into beautiful objects for the home. Museums and galleries have developed large collections ranging from Chinese export ware to early designs by Josiah Wedgwood, using them as a basis for Decorative Arts collections.
Over the last century clay has transcended the function of either being ‘useful’ or ‘beautiful’ - becoming a medium of choice for artists.
Suitable for
- Any age
Admission
Adults £8.80 / £8.00 without gift aid. Friends, children and students free
Website
http://www.blackwel.org.uk/formoverfunction
Getting there
BY CAR
From the south
Exit the M6 at junction 36 and follow signs for the South Lakes and Windermere. At the roundabout take the first left following signs for Crook and Bowness-on-Windermere on the B5284. After 6 miles arrive at a T-juntion, turn left on to the A5074 (Lyth Valley Road). Turn right where the road forks onto the B5360. Follow the drive to Blackwell's car park.
From the north
Exit the M6 at junction 40 and follow signs for Keswick (A66) and Windermere (A591) via Grasmere and Ambleside. Once in Windermere follow signs for Bowness-on-Windermere. Once in Bowness-on-Windermere follow the road to Blackwell which is situated just off the A5074 (Lyth Valley Road) and turn right where the road forks onto the B5360. Follow the drive to Blackwell's car park.
Postcode for SatNav: LA23 3JT
BY TRAIN
Oxenholme is the nearest main-line railway station, a connecting train will bring you into Windermere (three miles from Blackwell). Buses run to Bowness-on-Windermere, 1½ miles north of Blackwell. Alternatively taxis are available from Windermere Station to Blackwell.
BY BIKE
Blackwell is accessable by bike and has dedicated bike racks.
TAXI SERVICES
Abacus Taxis 015394 88285
Bowness Taxis 015394 46664
Lakes Taxis 015394 44055
Pegasus Taxis 015394 48899
Blackwell The Arts and Crafts House
Blackwell
Bowness-on-Windermere
Cumbria
LA23 3JT
England
Website
Telephone
015394 46139
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