5 things to see at the 2023 British Ceramics Biennial

18 September 2023

Kicking off on 23 September, the event is a six-week celebration of ceramics

18 September 2023

A still from William Cobbing's video piece Will.jas.sum, showing as part of the biennale's Social Substance exhibition

The British Ceramics Biennial is back for its eighth edition, taking over the city of Stoke-on-Trent from 23 September – 5 November to applaud all things clay. With a jam-packed programme of exhibitions, talks and workshops, the six-week event will present pieces from prominent ceramicists and show off works from the industry’s emerging talents. Wondering where to start? We’ve put together a must-see list:

Obsolescence and Renewal

This exhibition sees artist Neil Brownsword examine the historic connection between marginalised communities and the British ceramics industry, highlighting how – through the imitation and appropriation of other cultures – we’ve been able to grow our own economy. As part of the process, Brownsword has created a series of tiles which 'copy' and distort decorative motifs associated with ceramic manufacturers in the north of England, which are all available to purchase.

Taking place at The Brampton Museum, ST5 0QP

A pot by Emilie Taylor, who will be showing her work at the biennale's That Drop exhibition

Embodiments of Memory

Interdisciplinary artist Osman Yousefzada encourages visitors to ruminate on life, death and the complex process of grief by presenting a series of mortality-themed ceramic sculptures, from a burial mound to a mosque pulpit. The show will also include a wall-mounted textile piece laden with umbilical cord-like threads that honours his mother’s interest in embroidery.

Taking place at The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, ST1 3DW

That Drop

Remembering the acid house music movement that gained popularity in North Staffordshire during the early 90s, That Drop sees artist Emilie Taylor ask what spaces currently exist for people 'to come together and outpour collective energy’. At the heart of the show is a collection of towering sgraffito pots, which each depict jubilant scenes of people engaging with their local communities.

As part of the People and Place commission in All Saints Church, ST1 3HH

Djin Jars by Leora Honeyman, one of the speakers at the biennale's Top Form talk

Social Substance

Heaps of clay engulf performers in Social Substance by artist William Cobbing, a series of videos that presents them warping their body shapes and individual identities. The videos will be accompanied by a series of sculptures, allowing visitors to experience clay in both digital and physical form, widening their sensory understanding of the medium.

Taking place at AirSpace gallery, ST1 4HL

Top Form

We couldn’t miss the chance to tell you about Top Form, a talk in which our editor Debika Ray will be chatting with ceramic artists Dorcas Casey, Leora Honeyman and Nico Conti, who were each awarded residencies at the 2021 British Ceramics Biennial. The trio will be giving an insight into the work they’ve made since, and discussing what it means to be an artist today. Crafts members, you can get your tickets to the event here.

Taking place online via Zoom

5 things to see at the 2023 British Ceramics Biennial

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