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Mark Dally MSDC

Ceramics

About Mark
Working from his Staffordshire studio, Mark Dally handbuilds, casts and throws his Black & White Ware in high-fired white earthenware. He sliptrails and brushes black and white slips onto paper resist cutouts, layers with slipped dots, drips and linework, then applies platinum lustre in a third firing. Mark constructs his sculptural ceramics from the library of moulds he has assembled over the years, cast from children's plastic toys, industrial Victoriana, DIY offcuts and domestic throwaways. He handbuilds each one-off, decorates with slips on paper resist, and lustres with platinum and gold.
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After training in textiles, Mark Dally applied his love of surface pattern to ceramics on his MA. Since 1990, he produces handmade, earthenware slip-decorated tableware and sculptural ceramics.

Inspirations include 17thC Staffordshire slip trailing, mid-century Stoke-on-Trent industrial ceramics such as ‘Homemaker’ by Ridgway and Carlton Ware ‘Walking Ware’, and the sci-fi anachronisms of 1940s, 50s and 60s animations and comics. He likes to combine traditional craft and industrial techniques in a contemporary take on Staffordshire slipware and figures.

Mark's work is held in public and private collections internationally.

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Education

  • M.A. DESIGN (DISTINCTION): CERAMICS, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (1980-82)
  • B.A. HONS (FIRST): MULTIDISCIPLINARY DESIGN, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (1977-80)
  • ART FOUNDATION, Salisbury College of Art, Salisbury, Wiltshire (1976)

Employment
CERAMIC ARTIST, Contemporary Studio Ceramics (1989 - present)

Galleries Current

  • GOAT STREET GALLERY, St. Davids, Pembrokeshire
  • HATTON CERAMICS, Warwickshire
  • MARINE HOUSE GALLERY, Beer, Devon
  • NEW BREWERY ARTS, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
  • OLD CHAPEL GALLERY, Pembridge, Hereford
  • THE ROPEWALK, Barton on Humber, Leicestershire
  • THE SIMON DREW GALLERY, Dartmouth, Devon
  • THE WHITE DOVE GALLERY, Shenton, Warwickshire

Galleries Selected Past

  • ARTIFEX, Sutton Coldfield
  • BELLWOOD & WRIGHT, Lancaster
  • BIRCHAM CONTEMPORARY ARTS, Holt, Norfolk
  • BISCUIT FACTORY, Newcastle
  • BESIDE THE WAVE, Falmouth, Cornwall
  • CRAWFORD ARTS CENTRE, St. Andrews
  • GALLERY AT BEVERE, Bevere, Worcestershire
  • FENWICK GALLERY, Northumberland
  • GALLERINA, Darlington, Co Durham
  • GUMPS, San Francisco, USA
  • MAJLIS GALLERY, Dubai, UAE
  • MARY MAGGS, Broadway, Worcestershire
  • OPEN EYE GALLERY, Edinburgh
  • PARKFIELDS GALLERY, Ross-on Wye, Hereford
  • RIVERSIDE GALLERY, Stonehaven
  • SARK GLASS, Sark, Channel Islands

Exhibitions Selected

  • POTFEST IN THE PARK, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Penrith (Aug 2020, 2019, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002)
  • ART IN CLAY, The Maltings, Farnham (Nov 2019, 2018, 2017, )
  • THE CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS FESTIVAL, Bovey Tracey, Devon, (June 2018, 2017)
  • OPEN STUDIOS FESTIVAL, Lady Bay Arts, Nottingham (May 2017)
  • GALLERY AT BEVERE, 'Mark Dally/Walter Keeler', Worcestershire (Aug 2016)
  • MARY MAGGS, Christmas Exhibition, Broadway, Worcestershire (Nov 2014, 2013, 2012)
  • SIMON DREW GALLERY, 'Mark Dally New Ceramics': Solo Exhibition, Dartmouth, Devon (Nov 2013)
  • GALLERY AT BEVERE, Christmas Exhibition, Worcestershire (Nov 2010)
  • DARTINGTON CIDER PRESS GALLERY, Clocks (Nov 2010)
  • BISCUIT FACTORY, 'Familiar Faces, New Collections' (June 2009)
  • GALLERY AT BEVERE, Summer Exhibition, Worcestershire (Aug 2008)
  • STOKE CERAMIC ARTS FESTIVAL, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent (Oct 2007)
  • ART IN CLAY, Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire (Aug 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002)
  • CERAMICS SOUTH EAST, The Friars, Aylesford (June 2006)
  • CRAFTS COUNCIL GALLERY, 'Table Manners', London (Dec 2005)
  • ART IN ACTION, Waterperry House, Oxfordshire (July 2005, 2004, 2003)
  • SIMON DREW GALLERY, Mark Dally Ceramics Solo Exhibition, Dartmouth, Devon (May 2005)
  • BRITISH CRAFTS, Chiswick, London (Nov 2004)
  • THE GEFFRYE MUSEUM, Ceramics in the City, London (Sep 2004)
  • INHOUSE, Landmark Arts Centre, Teddington, London (May 2004)
  • CRAWFORD ARTS CENTRE, 'Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Paintings & Mark Dally Ceramics', St. Andrews (Aug-Oct 2003)
  • SIMON DREW GALLERY, 'Dog', Dartmouth, Devon (June 2003)
  • CLAYART, Denbigh, Wales (May 2003)
  • BRITISH CRAFTS, Chiswick, London (Apr 2003 & Nov 2003)
  • BIRCHAM CONTEMPORARY ART, 'The Tea Party', Norfolk (Sep 2002)
  • EARTH AND FIRE , Rufford Craft Centre (July 2002, 2001)
  • CRAWFORD ARTS CENTRE, Mark Dally: Solo Exhibition, St. Andrews (Nov 2001)
  • OPEN EYE GALLERY, Mark Dally: Solo Exhibition, Edinburgh (Mar 2001)
  • CHELSEA CRAFTS FAIR, Chelsea Town Hall, London (Oct 2000)
  • RIESCO GALLERY, 'Teatime on Venus: Mark Dally Ceramics', Clocktower Museum, Croydon (July-Oct 2000)
  • VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM, Black & White Ware/Aubrey Beardsley Centenary Exhibition, London (1999)

Publications

  • CLAYCRAFT (2019, 2018, 2017)
  • BBC HOMES AND ANTIQUES (May 2005)
  • TIME OUT (Sep 2004)
  • EVENING STANDARD NEWSPAPER (Sep 2004)
  • WORLD OF INTERIORS (Aug 2004)
  • CONCEPT FOR LIVING(Mar 2004)
  • COUNTRY HOMES AND INTERIORS (Feb 2004)
  • HOUSE AND GARDENS, USA, (Mar 2001)
  • THE INDEPENDENT (Oct 2000)
  • HOUSE AND GARDENS, UK (Nov 1998)

Awards & Grants

  • INTERNATIONAL CERAMICS COMPETITION, Shortlisted: First Prize, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent (2007)
  • CREATIVE NETWORK, Travel Bursary (2005)
  • CHELSEA CRAFTS FAIR, Finalist: George Little Award, Chelsea Crafts Fair (2000)
  • CREATIVE AMBITIONS GRANT, West Midlands Arts (2000)
  • NEW DESIGNER BURSARY, Country Living (2000)
  • CRAFT SHOWCASE EXHIBITION AWARD, West Midlands Arts (1996)
  • BOOTHROYD BURSARY AWARD, Staffordshire University (1979)

Collections Public

CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS COLLECTION, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

Collections Private

  • Christopher Coleman Interior Design, Brooklyn, New York, USA
  • Holli Kao, Hidden Hills, California, USA
  • Mr and Mrs RW McWhorter, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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