Peter Rushforth: A Legacy

1 December 2018 – 20 January 2019

Peter Rushforth’s passion for ceramics is reflected in a deep understanding of his materials and environment. He was an inspiring artist who aimed to “create forms that have life and vitality, colours and textures that are unique to earth materials”. Rushforth wasn’t interested in imposing irrelevant decoration onto his forms, instead he wanted to integrate the form with the colours and glazes so they sat in harmony. Drawn to Eastern aesthetics he was influenced by Japanese techniques that date back for centuries and subsequently fostered these traditions in an Australian context.

Peter Rushforth: A Legacy is a celebration of the artist’s career, spanning more than six decades, and the significant influence he had on generations of artists, many of whom currently reside in or near to the Greater Blue Mountains. Artists included in the exhibition are: Les Blakebrough, Mollie Douglas, Ivan Englund, Patricia Englund, Merran Esson, Marea Gazzard, Malcolm Greenwood, Clara Hali, Steve Harrison, Jan Irvine-Nealie, Janine King, Col Levy, Janet Mansfield, Ivan McMeekin, Susie McMeekin, Chester Nealie, Simon Reece, Peter Rushforth, Susan Rushforth, Bernard Sahm, Bill Samuels, Shiga Shigeo, Ian Smith, Thanakupi, Peter Travis, Maureen Williams-Levy, Peter Wilson and Roswitha Wulff.

“Behind the work of the potter is a search for truth and beauty, through form, glaze and function, and in rare cases, the work of the individual potter may express spiritual value. When successful, such human qualities can bring warmth to the coldness of our high tech environment.” Peter Rushforth quoted in the S. H. Ervin e-catalogue Peter Rushforth: All Fired Up (2013)

A Blue Mountains City Art Gallery exhibition

Exhibition Catalogue

Caption: Peter Rushforth Blossom jar (Detail) 1991, stoneware, tenmoku and Jun glazes, wax resist decoration 29 x 23 cm diam. Collection: Manly Art Gallery & Museum. Donated by MAG&M Society 1991. Photo: Felicity Jenkins, courtesy S. H. Ervin Gallery.